Brooklyn Nets small forward Kevin Durant has yet to play a game with the team, but he is undoubtedly its future. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Nets GM: Kevin Durant 'loud voice' in future of the team

Kevin Durant won't be going to Orlando with the Brooklyn Nets, as he is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. But while he may not be a huge part of the team's present, GM Sean Marks says that the superstar has a huge hand in the Nets' future.

"He continues to be a very loud voice in terms of where we’re going in the future and what we’re doing and I involve him like the other players and staff and how we’ll continue to build this team and how we move forward," Marks said, per Ian Begley of SNY.

Durant helping shape the team's future isn't a huge surprise, as the team hopes to become a championship contender with Durant and Kyrie Irving as their foundation. In terms of Durant's recovery, Marks said that he has been in contact with Durant about his progress.

"I’ve seen him numerous times over the summer and watched the rehabilitation process and watched him getting back out there and so forth," Marks said.

Beyond just speaking to Durant about his injury, Marks says that he has been communicating with Durant about other issues, including the nationwide protests in response to George Floyd being killed while in police custody.

"Look, I don’t want to speak for him but he seemed to be in good spirits," Marks explained. "He’s obviously aware of everything that’s going on whether it’s pandemic and some of the issues going on in society. We’ve had great conversations about all of that."

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