Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson says Kevin Durant will not join the team on its trip to China for two exhibition games against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The franchise determined it would be best for Durant's recovery to rehabilitate at home.

Kevin Durant won't play this season as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered during the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors. KD signed a four-year, $164.3 million deal with the Nets this summer as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Dubs.

A 10-time All-Star, Durant has career averages of 27.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 849 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Warriors. The former MVP is one of the best scorers of all time. Nets fans can’t wait to see him on the floor at the Barclays Center and competing with Kyrie Irving by his side.

Durant will spend the 2019-20 season rehabbing his Achilles injury under the careful eye of the Nets’ medical staff. When KD makes his Brooklyn debut in 2020-21, the team will be legitimate title contenders.

This season, the Nets will still be really good with Irving, DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris and Jarrett Allen leading the way, but they likely won’t compete for a championship until Durant returns.