Brooklyn Nets: Problematic pairing of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving

Durant dealing with career-changing injury

Unfortunately for Durant, Achilles’ ruptures are one of the worst injuries an athlete can suffer. With Durant likely unavailable for the majority of the 2019-20 season, it’s fair to ask if he will ever be the same kind of player ever again.

In an article by Chris Towers of CBS sports he details the catastrophic history of Achilles’ injuries to NBA players in great depth

"“On average, players returning from a ruptured Achilles saw their minutes per game average drop 27 percent from their last full season to their first following recovery.”"

If the Nets sign Durant to a four-year max they would take a cap hit of $38.15 million for next season, during which Durant will likely not participate. That would certainly be a hindrance to the team for next season.

Beyond next season, it’s a mystery trying to determine what Durant will be like on the court. Upon returning to action he could be anywhere from 65-80 percent of his former self.

Even in the best-case scenario, Durant will probably be rested on the tail end of back-to-back games and likely be on a 28 minutes per game restriction. Additionally, the risk of re-injury will always be there.

Durant’s age is a bit of a factor but his mileage is much more concerning. He’s an 11-year NBA veteran who’s been to nine postseasons and four NBA Finals appearances.

For his career Durant averages 36.9 minutes played per game. In the last three seasons on Golden State he averaged 34.1 minutes per game.

He’s played in 849 regular season games and 139 playoff games. That’s a total of 988 games. That kind of mileage is deeply concerning.

The argument can be made that Durant’s best years are behind him now, with his very best years played out in Oklahoma City, and Golden State. It appears his days of carrying teams into the playoffs are over.

By the time Durant fully rehabs and is ready to go on opening night of the 2020-21 season he will be 32 years old. This is the age when the average NBA player typically starts to decline. That’s without having to return from a devastating Achilles’ injury.

Understanding this harrowing revelation should make any Nets fan balk at the idea of signing Durant at this stage of his career.

The argument can be made that Golden State failed to properly manage Durant’s load. They also may have misdiagnosed his initial injury which ultimately culminated into this career altering injury.

Golden State ran Durant into the ground and eventually broke him. The Nets should not be responsible for being the franchise to fix him.

Even if the Nets could fix him, it will be a lengthy process and all signs point to diminishing returns on the court from Durant if they do sign him to a four year max deal. The historical outcomes of Achilles injuries to NBA players indicate this is a fool’s errand.