Kevin Durant Given +750 Odds to Play for Nets if Season Resumes

• Odds are posted on the prospect of Kevin Durant playing this season if basketball resumes
• With the Nets the #7 seed in the East, is it worth rushing him back?
• A Kyrie Irving return could change the Nets minds; Read on for our prediction below

After suffering a gruesome Achilles injury in the NBA Finals last year, the assumption was that Kevin Durant would take the season off to rehab and return a healthier and stronger player for the Brooklyn Nets 2020-21 campaign. With the NBA season on lockdown since the middle of March due to the Coronavirus pandemic and potentially returning this summer, the possibility of Durant coming back for a playoff run is juicy.

While the Brooklyn Nets NBA Championship odds currently sit at an unrealistic +6600, those would drop significantly if Durant were to make a speedy recovery, along with also injured Guard Kyrie Irving. Is it worth wagering on KD to make it back this year, or are you best off saving your money?

Kevin Durant Playing 2020 Season Odds

Odds taken April 22nd.

Don’t Bank on a Durant Comeback

As much as it would be spicy to see the two-time NBA Finals MVP return for a postseason run with the Nets, it still remains a really big longshot, for a multitude of reasons. While Durant has been progressing well in his rehab by all accounts, he hasn’t even been discussing the possibility of returning, even if the season resumes in July or August.

"I promise you, Kevin and I have not talked about that. I know it sounds crazy, but my assumption has been that wasn't very realistic"

Rich Kleiman on KD possibly returning if the NBA season resumes https://t.co/4TlnTqhoJ3

— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) April 17, 2020

Just a few days ago Durant’s agent Rich Kleiman threw cold water on the possibility on the Crossover podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix. Another issue with a potential return is just the uncertainty with being able to workout given the COVID-19 rules with gyms and having access to trainers to help him get game ready.

“Honestly, not very realistic from my standpoint and not even spoken about.”

– Rich Kleiman on the chances his client, Kevin Durant returns this season with a long hiatus. pic.twitter.com/A0zVDzyWcH

— Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin (@KeyJayandZ) March 16, 2020

Kyrie Irving’s Injury Looms Large

Kyrie Irving struggled to stay healthy this year as well, after averaging 28.5 points per game in his first eleven games as a Net. Irving would then be on the shelf for 26 games due to a shoulder impingement, before returning in January following a cortisone shot. He played nine more contests before being shut down again with a strained knee.

"We look at our players' long-term health as a No. 1 priority…we're looking at the big picture here."

GM Sean Marks' full comments on Kyrie Irving's injury development 🎥 pic.twitter.com/shepf5sIjz

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 20, 2020

Back in February, Brooklyn General Manager Sean Marks announced Irving would miss the remainder of the year to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. With any possible Nets playoff run being tied to the health of both players not only coming back to play but be at an elite level, it’s hard to fathom a realistic scenario where both KD and Kyrie and the team think it’s a worthwhile cause.

Kyrie Irving will not play again this season due to season-ending shoulder surgery.

Here's a breakdown of the Nets performance with and without Kyrie this season: pic.twitter.com/rFrvGAqP8R

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 21, 2020

Don’t Wager on a Durant Return

Currently, the team is on a collision course to face the Raptors or the Bucks in the first round, which also would like dissuade them from the possibility of allowing their star investments to compete at less than 100%. As much as the odds of +750 for a Durant comeback could net a decent return, the smart money is to continue to believe they won’t make it happen.

Pick: Kevin Durant Doesn’t Return for 2019-20 Season (-2000)