Kevin Durant Coming Back to Lead Nets to Title During NBA's Shortened Season Would Make Him a Hero

Following his departure from OKC to the Warriors back in the summer of 2016, Kevin Durant took over the mantle as villain of the NBA. Two titles and three NBA Finals appearances later, Durant spurned Golden State on a contract and took his talents alongside former Celtic Kyrie Irving to Atlantic Avenue to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.

In his last game in a Dubs’ uniform, Durant tore his Achilles in the finals against the Raptors. While he was expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season, the NBA going on a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic and having a target return for July 31 could be music to Brooklyn’s ears.

By July, it will be a bit more than 13 months since the Achilles injury, so Durant has most likely made a full recovery. While Irving’s shoulder is still a question mark following surgery in March, Brooklyn has still stayed afloat in the East with their two stars battling injury.

If Durant comes back for the shortened portion of the season, that means a team that had little to no expectation of winning anything now has a chance. Yet, reports indicate he's leaning in the opposite direction.

The NBA is all about narratives. While Durant is constantly viewed as a villain, he can shake that if and when he comes back to play for BK. With role players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris Levert, Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan, the pieces are in place for Durant to adjust to playing with these guys.

Of course, KD has to weigh the injury risk with the potential reward the impact of a title run would have on his career. The decision isn't so simple.