As he prepares to make his debut for the Nets, nearly 18 months after joining with the team, Kevin Durant expects to be asked to play a few different positions, he told reporters on Wednesday. As Malika Andrew of ESPN writes, Durant will spend time playing frontcourt roles besides his old small forward spot.
“I think Coach (Steve Nash) is going to use me in a variety of ways, especially as a small-ball five and four sometimes,” Durant said. “And bringing the ball up, too, so I’ve just got to be ready for anything.”
Durant also said on Wednesday that he doesn’t have a set number of minutes in mind for the Nets’ preseason games as he makes his return from a torn Achilles. He’s just hoping to use those two exhibition contests as a measuring stick for what his body can handle, writes Andrews.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Durant was asked about the James Harden trade rumors again on Wednesday and deflected them, saying he’s “very excited” about Brooklyn’s current roster. “I don’t think about James Harden at all,” the Nets’ star said, according to Adam Zagoria of Forbes. “I mean, he doesn’t play on our team.” Durant previously insinuated that reports of him and Harden talking about teaming up in Brooklyn were “made up.”
- The Nets are among the teams expected to opt in for the proposed G League bubble in Atlanta, tweets Zagoria. The Long Island Nets – Brooklyn’s affiliate – would be among the dozen-plus clubs likely to participate, Zagoria adds.
- Spencer Dinwiddie was mentioned in some offseason trade rumors, with Shams Charania of The Athletic reporting today that the Nets guard was among the players pursued by the Bucks. However, head coach Steve Nash sounds confident that Dinwiddie will remain in Brooklyn for the 2020/21 season, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter link). “I’m heavy towards not trading Spencer Dinwiddie and the front office feels the same way,” Nash said.
If Nash can convince Durant to play substantial minutes at the 5 for the whole season, consider me impressed. Durant is going to catch a beating at center most nights.
Of course, no team will be able to match up on offense, so he will score with ease. And if the other team puts a 4/5 on him? Irving/Durant screen and roll FTW.
Gonna be a great team on one side of the floor…
So you don’t think a Giannis/Holiday combo are capable of guarding a Kyrie/KD PnR situation? I think you’re giving these two too much credit.
Durant is best as a stretch 4. He can always take his man off the dribble. He’s a scorer and always will be. Playing the 5 only means going small. Whole NBA knows small ball today. Personally every team should be able to play either way. Cause all teams should be able to go ten deep. The one this that’s changed the most. Is teams now go deeper on their bench. It should be that way anyway. Since you are allowed to carry 15 players. Nets should keep team intact. They develop chemistry. They will be a very good team. The one player they can move and get value for is Allen. Cause they have another young big. Or could sign one for minimum. Tough to put I’ll together in one yr. Considering Nets window is 3-4 yrs. Not guaranteed to win a ring.
For his past two years, Durant has played almost 75% of his minutes at PF (and all three years on the Warriors he spent over 50% of his minutes at PF). In 2017-18 he played more center that SF. That’s on defense. On offense his position is Kevin Durant.
I know KD loves to pretend he’s not that tall, but he does realize he’s 6’11 and was our primary rim protector for 3 years right? Lol he’s one of if not the most talented frontcourt player of all time, was a pleasure having him on my squad even if it was just a brief romance smh
I would love to see Dins on the Bucks, but Horst gave up future picks to go with Jrue. There were better, bolder options… but it is like the Bucks braintrust thinks Giannis may really leave and they got spineless. Jrue is not best at PG, so Augustin may start. These are popular players with me but not sure in this situation.
Against teams that gather the defense at the FT line to stop Giannis, Dins would be excellent to shoot past to the rim. He good length there but not the best moves so he would thrive. Augustin should have a good step-through too.