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NBA News and Notes: Could Durant Return?

The NBA is still hopeful that it can finish the 2019-20 season, even if it means both prolonging the start of the 2020-21 season and extending this one into September. The expectation is that the league is going to allow teams to open their practice facilities as early as this Friday (although significant distancing restrictions will still be in place for teams).

Still, there is some apprehension as to how quickly teams will get their practice facilities going in full force. While teams and the league are anxious to get the season rolling again, they obviously want to do it in a responsible way.

The fact that it is even being discussed, though, is still a huge positive in terms of optimism that the league will finish its season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the other news from around the league from this last week.

Could Durant Return This Season?

Had the season actually stayed on schedule, the question would likely have been preposterous. However, with the league on an extended break, there at least remains the possibility that Kevin Durant could play meaningful basketball this season.

The Nets general manager, Sean Marks, hinted in an interview with Grant Chapman of Newshub that the idea of the star forward returning if the season can resume was at least not off the table. Durant’s manager, Rich Kleiman, believes he will not return, but stranger things have happened.

Of course, it was never believed that Durant would play this year for the Nets. In fact, they signed him knowing as much as he is returning from a severe Achilles injury. But for Nets fans, they can at least be hopeful.

Last year, with the Golden State Warriors, the 31-year-old Durant averaged 26 points on 52.1% shooting with 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Whether he can return this season or not remains to be seen, but Nets’ fans are certainly awaiting the debut of the star forward in Brooklyn.

Harris Was Injured?

Speaking of the Nets, in an interesting interview with UVA Today, Joe Harris admitted that he had suffered an injury in Brooklyn’s last game before the league was shut down that might have sidelined him for upwards of a month.

This season, Harris has averaged 13.9 points on 47.1% shooting. He also has averaged 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Nets. Healthy and ready to play if the league can resume, Harris certainly found a silver lining in what has been otherwise a devastating pandemic.

Williamson To Be Hit With Minutes Restriction?

In an interview with reporters, New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry admitted that if the league is able to resume, then Zion Williamson may find himself on a minutes restriction moving forward. This would not be the first time Williamson has dealt with a restriction after he missed much of the beginning of the season with a knee injury.

For Gentry, it is all about protecting his young superstar. After working his way back only to have the league shutdown, it would be tough on the body to immediately ramp back up into full minutes.

With Williamson expected to be a franchise-altering piece to the puzzle for the Pelicans, they want to play it safe with the young superstar.

In the 19 games that he played, Williamson was averaging 23.6 points on 58.9% shooting. He was also averaging 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. With the Pelicans being a young, up-and-coming team, it would not be surprised if they played it safe with a lot of their young talent in hopes of being able to stay healthy and really push to compete next season.

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