Durant focuses on the next season
Texas ex not thinking about likely free-agent payday coming in 2016.
— Kevin Durant says next summer can wait.
Next season is his only priority at this point.
The former Texas Longhorn — limited to 27 games for Oklahoma City last season because of injuries — was at the NBA Summer League games in Orlando on Saturday and said he would be ready for next season. He also said he hasn’t thought about the summer of 2016, when he is likely to be the biggest domino in a free-agent class that seems certain to earn huge deals as the league’s salary cap skyrockets.
“I hear it all the time, but I’m really just focusing on rehab,” Durant said before the Thunder summer team played its opening game. “I can’t get there unless I take care of today, so that’s how I try to look at it, even though I hear it from every side, thinking past to next summer. I’m not even trying to focus on that. I’m excited about our team, new coaches and just trying to get back right.”
He watched the game with new Thunder coach Billy Donovan. At one point, Donovan spoke for more than a minute during play, pointing at various things while Durant kept nodding and absorbing what his new coach was saying.
It’s clear Donovan is trying to fast- track a relationship with
Durant.
“Coach D’s been working me out this past week, so it’s pretty cool to see your head coach on the floor with you, putting in work with you,” Durant said. “It’s like he’s been on this journey with me since he got in. That’s making us closer.”
The 2014-15 season is one Durant probably wants to forget. He had surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot in October, was back on the floor in December and lasted only nine games before having to sit again with a sprained ankle.
Durant missed more time in late January and early February, and he was shut down for the rest of the season in mid-February.
With him, the Thunder were 18-9. Without him, they were 27-28 and missed the playoffs. Then coach Scott Brooks was fired.
“The toughest year I’ve ever been through in my life, as far as basketball is concerned,” Durant said. “Just to get back on the floor, all that other stuff really doesn’t matter to me. ... Distractions, all that type of stuff, they don’t matter because I get to do something I love again, hopefully. I can’t wait to get back out there and be fully cleared to play.”
He is already a four-time NBA scoring champion and won’t turn 27 until September. He might not even be in his prime yet. Teams will do whatever they can next summer to get him, in the same way LeBron James was pursued in 2010 when he wound up signing with the Miami Heat.
For now, Durant said, everyone else can focus on that. He is just preparing to return to action.
“To be honest, my main thing is getting rid of distractions,” Durant said. “No matter what, just focusing on what I have to do. I can’t wait to play the game I love again.”
That said, well over $1 billion in newly issued contracts will start getting signed Thursday when the NBA’s offseason moratorium on player movement ends.
Durant is fully aware of who is getting what. This time next year, he could be the most coveted prize.
“It’s a fun time to be in the NBA,” he said. “You’re seeing all these moves being made, guys getting an opportunity to take care of their families by getting these big contracts. Man, it’s beautiful to see.”