Nets GM says superstars ready to share stage, ball

As the Nets were closing in on the deal for James Harden, general manager

Sean Marks wanted to know if his two superstars really wanted to share the stage — not to mention the ball — with a third.

Marks said Thursday that both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving told him what he needed to hear, so he pulled the trigger on the blockbuster deal that landed the NBA’s three-time scoring champion in Brooklyn.

“They understand what’s at stake here,” Marks said. “Everybody’s raised their hands and said, ‘Look, we’re in. We know what we’re shooting for’ and that includes James, the new player. He knows what’s at stake.”

The Nets acquired Harden from Houston in a multiteam deal that became official Thursday, paying a huge price by sending Caris LeVert and

Rodions Kurucs to Houston, along with 2022, 2024 and 2026 first-round picks and the right to swap firstround picks in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027.

The Nets also sent center

Jarrett Allen and forward

Taurean Prince to Cleveland.

Brooklyn now has undeniable firepower, with Durant a four-time scoring champion who looks as good as ever in his return from Achilles tendon surgery and Irving pouring in nearly as many points before taking a leave of absence from the team for personal reasons.

But only the commitment from the three players will allow the Nets to fully utilize it and Marks is confident he secured that from his own players and from Harden.

Harden was due to arrive in Brooklyn on Thursday and Marks believed he could be cleared to play once all the players in the deal had passed their physicals. The Nets play Saturday against Orlando and then Monday in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day showdown with Milwaukee that now looks like a potential preview of the Eastern Conference finals.

THURSDAY’S GAME

Raptors 111, Hornets

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108: Chris Boucher had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Kyle Lowry had 16 points and 12 assists, and host Toronto beat Charlotte in Tampa.

ELSEWHERE

Virus fallout: The

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Boston Celtics expect their unplanned weeklong hiatus because of coronavirusrelated issues to end Friday, when they’re scheduled to play host to the Orlando Magic. The Celtics will be without at least three players Friday, including All-Star forward

Jayson Tatum, because of the league’s health and safety protocols.

The Phoenix Suns, however, have a bit more time off coming. Meanwhile, the Indiana at Phoenix game scheduled for Saturday has been called off — the ninth such postponement since the week began.

The Suns will not have enough players eligible to play, largely because of contact tracing.