Report: Nets ‘gaining confidence’ that they could land Kevin Durant

The Kevin Durant free agency sweepstakes have become murky given his devastating Achilles injury in the NBA Finals, but one of the offseason’s most ambitious teams may become a factor in his recruitment.

On Friday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that while the New York Knicks could not be ruled out, the Brooklyn Nets are “gaining confidence” that they could recruit Durant, adding that he has heard from some within the NBA that they could be considered the frontrunners.

“The Nets are gaining confidence that they can pull this off,” Windhorst said in an appearance on ESPN’s “The Jump.” “They’re continuing to make moves — they’ve made three moves in the last week. They’re right there for a second slot.”

When co-host Kendrick Perkins said he believed the Nets were the frontrunner for Durant, Windhorst added that some inside the NBA believe that to be the case as well.

“He is not the only person involved with the NBA who has told me exactly that,” Windhorst said.

The Nets are widely considered the frontrunners to sign Kyrie Irving in free agency, but it has been suggested that they wouldn’t want to sign him unless they could bring in a second star. Durant would certainly fit that bill, and perhaps the Nets have that in mind as they make their summer plans.