Kevin Durant’s manager threw more cold water on the idea of the injured Nets superstar returning if and when the NBA season resumes.
The season getting suspended on March 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic has sparked persistent speculation that the added time would allow Durant to recover from his Achilles surgery. But Rich Kleiman reiterated that it’s so “unrealistic” that he’s never even discussed it with Durant.
“I promise you, Kevin and I have not talked about that. And I know it sounds crazy, but my assumption has been that that wasn’t very realistic,” Kleiman told Sports Illustrated. “It’s just not…I know when the time will be right to have that conversation; but it just hasn’t been that time and it just doesn’t feel like it’s needed.”
Kleiman – who is Durant’s friend, manager and business partner – had made similar comments a month ago to ESPN. He has said he expects the forward to eventually return to his old form when he does play, but jumping into a high-pressure situation like a July or August playoff series right off the bat from a major injury seems unlikely.
“That’s what I mean about unrealistic. It’s just, you know, I haven’t even thought to ask him, because it just seems so unrealistic.”
Submit your Nets questions here to be answered in an upcoming Post mailbag
After the season got suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, teams have obviously been locked out of their practice facilities. Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks has alluded to that having robbed Durant (and Kyrie Irving) of needed resources during their respective rehabs. Kleiman touched on that as well.
“I mean, he’s doing good,” said Kleiman. “He’s exactly where he’s supposed to be. It’s been almost a year since the injury. But, you know, he’s been able to maintain his rehabilitation during this period — not to the same extent as the first few weeks, but he’s continuing to get stronger and keep building and playing.
“And, you know, things have slowed down tremendously for everyone, just like if he wasn’t rehabbing back. But this hasn’t thrown him off the path to coming back to play.”
That just isn’t likely to be in 2019-20, at least according to Kleiman. He also addressed Durant’s bout with and recovery from coronavirus.
The Nets had announced that four players had tested positive. Durant was among the quartet, but Kleiman said the forward was asymptomatic at the time and perfectly recovered now.
“He was fortunate that he was asymptomatic throughout, and is now clear and free of it,” said Kleiman. “But obviously quarantined like the rest of us.”