Nets' Sean Marks Provides Updates on Possible Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons Returns

Sean Marks doesn't expect Ben Simmons or Kevin Durant to take the floor for Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics or Saturday's matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, but he didn't fully rule it out.

Alex Schiffer of The Athletic noted the general manager seemed not to believe either will play "in the next three to four days." However, Marks said the team will wait to see how each responds to practice leading up to those contests.

Durant has not played since Brooklyn's Jan. 15 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans and is recovering from a knee injury.

He was playing at an All-Star level prior to the setback and is averaging 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from deep.

Simmons is yet to play this season and was finally traded away from the Philadelphia 76ers after a number of headlines regarding his status. While there remain concerns about his free-throw shooting and ability to stretch the floor as a scorer, playing for Brooklyn could give him an opportunity to revamp his career in a new environment.

At his best, he is someone who can impact the game a number of ways as a triple-double threat and impressive defender with three All-Star nods and two All-Defensive selections on his resume. 

The Nets figured to be a superteam and championship contender this season, but things have not gone as planned. James Harden missed time with injury before he was traded away, Kyrie Irving cannot play home games because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19, and Durant and Joe Harris have each missed significant time with their own injuries.

The result is a 31-28 record and the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

Yet the potential of Durant, Simmons and Irving all being on the court together in the playoffs is surely an enticing one, and Marks told reporters "championship" when asked what the expectations are for the rest of the season.

It's hard to argue with that assessment given the roster, even if the record doesn't reflect that reality.