Nets' Kevin Durant could return to the team next week

Widely viewed as the favorites to clinch the NBA title this year, the Nets have got off to a slow start in their campaign. That being said, their cause has not been helped by injuries to key players, like the irreplaceable Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant could return to the Nets net week

According to comments made by the Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash on Saturday, star forward Kevin Durant is making steady progress in his effort to return from a sprained left MCL. Indeed, Nash actually went on to explain that Durant could in fact be back in the team as early as next week. "Every day closer," Nash said. "We'll see. I expect in the next week he'll be back for sure. It could be quick; it could be the whole week barring any setbacks." The Nets of course face the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Nash and the Nets have been hesitant to specify an official date for Durant's return but it now seems that things are looking up for the big man who hasn't played since suffering the injury back on January 15th. "I think with Kevin he's been a great healer throughout his career," Nash said. "So the No. 1 thing is to get him back healthy and feeling secure in his health and his body so he can move and be free. When he's back, obviously he adds a ton to our team on both ends of the floor. ...One of the greatest scorers of all time. And we also know he helps us defensively; he gives us more size and length. So he's a big miss for us, and whenever he gets back, he'll impact our team."

Goran Dragic is ready but what about Ben Simmons?

With the possible return of Durant on the horizon, the Nets will be hopeful that newly acquired Goran Dragic can start his time with the team on the right foot before Durant is back. The veteran guard will make his Nets debut against the Bucks, having signed with the team earlier in the week. Dragic for his part has not played a game since November 13th when he was still on the roster of the Toronto Raptors. "We're going to see how it's going to go," he said. "It's just limited minutes, but I'm happy to finally step on the court after, what, three or four months."

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Meanwhile the question as to when Ben Simmons will play his first game for the Nets, remains unanswered. Simmons, who was signed from the Philadelphia 76ers just before the trade deadline, was part of a deal that saw James Harden go in the opposite direction. While Simmons is traveling with the team, it is understood that he will only be doing individual work and not participating in the game itself. The Nets are of course taking the long road with Simmons, preferring to allow him the opportunity to get his rhythm back before increasing his work load in training."He's not gone to high intensity yet," Nash said. "Just ramping him up still."