UPDATE 9/24, 1:30 p.m. ET: When asked about Kevin Durant's status at the Nets' preseason media availability on Tuesday, team GM Sean Marks said that the expectation is that he'll miss the entirety of next season, according to the New York Times' Marc Stein.
Marks added that Durant's rehab has been going "very well," and that ultimately he'll have a "large say" on if and when he returns to the court. Watch Marks' full comments on KD below.
See original story below.
There's a possibility that Kevin Durant dons his Brooklyn Nets jersey on the court earlier than expected.
There's an "outside chance" that KD will not have to sit out the entire 2019-2020 season, according to CBS Sports. Depending on the pacing of his rehab, Durant could return to court before the end of the regular season or during the playoffs. Nets GM Sean Marks also refused to rule out Durant returning this season, according to the New York Post.
Those close to Kevin Durant reportedly feel like the Warriors rushed him back into competition before his calf strain was fully healed, but it's unclear if that caused his Achilles injury.
Although it's hard to replicate a talent like Durant, the Nets will still be a contender in the East while he's recovering. Brooklyn was a playoff team last year, and with Kyrie Irving, there's potential for the Nets to make an even deeper run. The Nets are also reportedly contemplating adding Carmelo Anthony to their rotation. Despite being out of the league for a while, Nets players were reportedly impressed by his conditioning and scoring ability during an unofficial workout in Los Angeles.
