Kevin Durant didn’t say yes. He didn’t say no.
Speaking on Lil Wayne’s Young Money Radio on Tuesday, Durant addressed the possibility of a return if the NBA picks up its season and playoffs in mid-July.
Last week Nets GM Sean Marks told a New Zealand news outlet a Durant return was not out of play, calling it “the $110 million question.”
“It is what it is man. Everybody waiting on me to come back,” Durant said Tuesday on the show. “A lot of emotions involved. So I get it. I understand the business now. But I’ll be back when it’s time.”
When is the right time? Maybe Durant really doesn’t know yet.
He will have been off 13 months following Achilles tendon surgery if the playoff tournament starts in mid-July. Sources have indicated he was doing not just three-on-three and four-on-four drills with teammates when the March 11 shutdown occurred but playing full-court five-on-five.
If Durant waits until next season, which could be delayed until Dec. 25, he’ll have been out for a year-and-a-half. And he’ll be 32.
Durant said he doesn’t feel the Nets are trying to rush him back at all. In fact, on a podcast ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said he believes the Nets won’t let him play this season.
The Post quoted Durant’s buddy, Jay Williams, saying it wasn’t a great idea to zoom into the playoff cauldron after being out that long.
Durant said this week the organization is eager to see him and Kyrie Irving on the court together.
“No, I wouldn’t say that,’’ Durant said when asked if he’s being rushed. “But obviously everybody’s anxious to see how we’re going to fit together, especially me and Kyrie. It’s a new situation.”
Irving (shoulder surgery) is probably further off than Durant in his return but said on an Instagram talk: “I can’t wait to be back out there destroying people.”
Durant said the chemistry will be good no matter when the Brooklyn stars play together.
“Our games match, you know what I’m saying?,’’ Durant said. “We can do the same things, we’re similar. So it’s just a matter of figuring it out.”
Durant had scrimmaged with a group of young Nets tabbed “The Extra Work Crew.” The Nets’ facility is shut amid the lockdown but he is permitted to do rehab work there with a doctor.
Since the shutdown, Durant tested positive for the coronavirus but got over it quickly with few symptoms.