Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury occurred nine days ago in Toronto. His surgery to repair the rupture occurred one week ago in New York.
ESPN’s Jay Williams, a Durant friend and a partner with Durant’s manager Rich Kleiman on “The Boardroom,” told The Post it’s too early for the Warriors superstar to figure out what the injury means for his free-agent future. Williams has spoken with Durant since the devastating injury.
“I think Kevin right now is still trying to deal with post-surgery,” Williams said Tuesday at a Madison Avenue Draft event. “That’s his first and foremost thing. You do what you do to your Achilles on that stage, it takes a minute to recalibrate. You can’t just go back to business. But Kevin has to make the best decision for Kevin. I’ve told him that. Rich Kleiman has told him that.”
It’s been believed Kleiman, a New Yorker, has looked to sell the Knicks on Durant.
The Post has reported Durant has until June 29 — the day before free-agency courting period — to opt out of the final season of his pact. Even though he will miss next season, he is likely to get a max deal either with the Warriors or elsewhere.
The Knicks are still interested, believing if there’s any player who can come back from this debilitating injury, it is Durant, who will be 32 to start the 2020-21 campaign.
In the past, Williams was outspoken in wondering if the Knicks were a good fit for Zion Williamson because of owner James Dolan. But Williams, a Jersey product, declined to weigh in on Durant’s fit as a Knick.
“Kevin coming back (in Game 5) shows he’s kind of like the people’s champ,” Williams said. “He always wants to win no matter what. He’ll sacrifice his body. I think it’s now time for Kevin to do what’s in the best interest of Kevin Durant.”
Williams, who starred at Duke before a motorcycle accident curtailed his NBA career, believes in Blue Devil penetrating shooting guard RJ Barrett as the real deal. Odds are, Barrett will fall into the Knicks’ lap at No. 3 Thursday in the NBA Draft.
“This year for RJ was tougher,” Williams said. “You play with Zion, then he goes down and he needed to be a volume scorer. In college they stack the paint with no illegal defense. You’re not going to get the true spacing on the NBA level.”