The Nets’ free-agent hunt — just like that of half the NBA — is going to run on Kevin Durant’s schedule.
Brooklyn’s dream scenario is still very much in play: To pair up Durant with Kyrie Irving, who seems to be leaning in the Nets’ direction. But in free agency, as in life, timing is everything.
The Nets tendered D’Angelo Russell a qualifying offer Friday in a move first reported by The Athletic and confirmed by The Post. It made him a restricted free agent and gives the Nets a 23-year-old All-Star hedge if they can’t ink Irving. But a Durant-Irving combo is still the goal.
Bovada put the Nets’ odds of getting Irving at 84.6 percent when free agency starts at 6 p.m. on Sunday — but it would behoove them to get a deal done as soon as possible. First, to fend off mounting interest from the Lakers. Second, to have Irving on board to help pitch Durant. That recruitment could be tougher — and take much longer.
The Nets were even-money favorites to land Durant, also expected to engage the Knicks, Warriors and Clippers according to ESPN. Durant and his manager, Rich Kleiman, have been in New York since Durant’s surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon, and this is where they plan to take any visits.
. He knows the Nets won’t give away the money earmarked for him, so he can take his time.
Despite Irving’s efforts to sway him to the Nets, Durant told Yahoo, “I can’t be recruited.” But with the Warriors, Knicks and Clippers trying to do just that, it’s up to the Nets to do it better.
While the Warriors can offer rings and money — they’re expected to table a five-year, $221 million offer, one year and $57 million more than the Nets can give — Brooklyn is going to have a take a more holistic approach.
“I’m biased, but I can’t think of one negative. I couldn’t say this back in the Jersey days,” a highly-placed Nets source told The Post. “A coach who cares and can develop players, young [players], well-capitalized ownership, brick-and-mortar assets very few teams can compete with. It’s a complete story [you have to tell].
“I’m a firm believer in life there’s never a silver bullet. You’ve got to look at things holistically, look at the total package. We want to lead with the total package and gravitate to something particular [to that player]. You don’t want to ever sell yourself short.”
They’ll have to sell themselves to Durant and Irving, and keep an eye toward California while doing it.
If LeBron James and Anthony Davis court Irving to join them with the Lakers, does it turn his head? And if the Lakers land Kawhi Leonard to build a superteam, would it convince Durant he’ll have to stay with Golden State to compete? It leaves the Nets waiting for both.
With $48 million in room even after Russell’s cap hold, the Nets can renounce the young guard if they land Irving or retain him if they don’t. The moratorium doesn’t end until July 6, and the Nets can wait two days to match any offer sheet, and two more to schedule his physical.
The Nets have until July 13 to agree to a deal or renounce Russell. Basically, Russell — who is desired by the Lakers as a backup plan if they don’t get Leonard or Irving — is going to be in limbo for awhile.
“It’s more of just the waiting game as far as chess moves have to be made,” Russell told The Post. “There’s a lot of big fish out there that have to find their destinations so I think I’ll [fall in line after that].”
Tobias Harris and Julius Randle could be in the same boat, having to wait to see what Durant does. A source close to Harris said he’ll meet with teams on the East Coast on Sunday, then teams out West on Monday.
