The Brooklyn Nets franchise has been so engulfed by the hiring of Steve Nash and James Harden trade rumors, it is almost hard to remember one of the best players on the planet in Kevin Durant is returning to the hardwood.

Durant is fully healthy after close to 18 months without game action following his rehab from a ruptured Achilles suffered in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. Still, KD is hoping to feel things out when the action begins.

The former league MVP told reporters — including ESPN's Malika Andrews — he does not necessarily have a minutes cap for preseason action. Rather, he will gauge how his body responds to the games and act accordingly.

Durant also said he expects to get minutes at both the 4 and the 5 this season:

There has been plenty of speculation as to how the Achilles injury could impact Kevin Durant's game going forward, though he seems well-equipped to deal with the setback.

Durant is a strong athlete, to be sure, but he is also incredibly gifted in the art of scoring. He is one of the elite shot creators in the game and is able to raise up over smaller defenders for perimeter jumpers. Durant was also one of the best defenders in the game with the Golden State Warriors prior to the injury, and it might be more interesting to see how the injury could affect his ability to rotate or block shots on that end.

It is likely Nash plays Durant mostly at power forward, though he will certainly spend plenty of time on the ball as well. Regardless, plenty of eyes will be on Kevin Durant as he prepares to make his return to action.

The Nets' first preseason game is Sunday against the Washington Wizards.