Brooklyn Nets: Predicting Kevin Durant’s 2021 Statistics

Kevin Durant won’t play for the Brooklyn Nets at all the season, no matter when it resumes. As for 2020-21, KD should be back to his All-Star ways.

Despite the NBA’s plan to resume the 2020 season in Orlando, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant has made it clear that he’s not returning until the 2020-21 NBA season begins. Initial rumors indicate a starting date happening in December at the earliest.

It gives the nine-time All-NBA selection an extended period to recover from his ruptured Achilles’ tendon injury, and surgery to repair it. The extra time increases the chances of a full recovery.

So, how will the superstar look when he steps on the court? If a Christmas day return is confirmed, it would be over 18 months since Durant played his last NBA game. He could either be rejuvenated entirely or a shell of his former self. Here are projections on what his regular-season stats could be.

Shooting

Durant is a lethal mid-range shooter and is unstoppable when he’s feeling it. However, it might take a while for him to adjust to a lineup without two of the greatest shooters the NBA has ever seen. He also might be wary about constant driving into the paint on his surgically-repaired Achilles.

• Field Goal Percentage – He could likely shoot around 49 percent from the field, which is definitely amazing but would also be his lowest point since 2012.
• Three-Point Percentage – Despite his smooth release and precise shooting motion, Durant has been somewhat inconsistent from deep throughout his career. He’s shot over 40 percent in four different seasons, but he’s also never hit that mark in consecutive years. With plenty of time to get in the gym and tune up his mechanics, KD should be at the top of his game and surpass 40 percent shooting from three, after failing to do so in his final year with the Warriors.
• Free Throw Percentage – Similar to his expected improvement from downtown, it’s not hard to imagine Kevin Durant enjoying his best season from the charity stripe when he suits up for the Nets. He may surpass 90 percent on free throws for the third time in his career.