Kevin Durant has had a long year away from basketball. We haven’t seen KD play since his injury in the 2019 Finals for the Golden State Warriors. Post that, he left the Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets. Now, he is just waiting to return to the court and lead the ‘other’ New York franchise to success.

KD may just be the most influential roster member next season, due to his obvious strengths. While Kyrie will be more vocal, KD’s happiness is just as important. As a result, KD may have his inputs on the roster decisions for next season. He categorically stated on the Joe Budden Podcast that he wishes to see Jamal Crawford return to the team next season.

“I don’t even know if Jamal wants to play again. I would love to have him on the team. I don’t know,” Durant said. “What’s he, about 42, still doing it?”

Kevin Durant returning with a bang or a whimper?

While KD would love to see Crawford return, it is unlikely that he will have a profound impact on the court. He barely got to play during the bubble and will have a hard time getting valuable rotation minutes on a fully stacked roster. However, his influence on the locker room may be terrific, considering his longevity in the game.

At the end of the day, the Nets will be dependent on Kevin Durant’s production. While obviously Kyrie Irving will also have to chip in, KD needs to do his part.

Many are unsure if he can still be the force he was after returning from an Achilles tear. However, KD has proven that he isn’t like any other player. But he will also be entering his 15th season in the league, so his age may become another important factor.

The Nets are planning for immediate success, and whether bringing Crawford back fits into that is not exactly clear. There are benefits to having a veteran like him on the team, but is it worth him taking up a roster spot? If Durant feels it is worth it, the Nets organization may have to take a look at the situation.