"I'm looking forward to having some new energy, some fresh energy," Durant said as the Nets reported to training camp on Tuesday.

"Especially the younger guys on this team, I'm looking forward to helping them in any way I can. Telling them about the experiences I went to in this league.

"I'm looking forward to stepping into this position, this role. I'm excited about taking it on."

Durant, who signed as a free agent with the Nets in July 2019, did not play last season as he recovered from a torn achilles sustained playing for Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals.

He said his recent workouts have been without restriction - "full speed, 100 per cent" - and he expects to be greatly involved as the Nets kick off the 2020-21 season under new coach Steve Nash.

Durant dismissed rumours he and good friend James Harden had discussed the possibility of the Houston Rockets All-Star joining the Nets.

"I don't know where that came from," he said. "James is a friend of mine, but I let the front office handle all of that stuff. I was just so focused on working out.

"I heard all the noise, and I heard that James potentially wanted to come to the Nets. But anybody can make up stories ... I just focused on myself, and my teammates probably did the same thing."

Part of the "new energy" for a team that made the playoffs without Durant - and largely without Kyrie Irving, who did not play in the post-season - is Nash and assistant coach Mike D'Antoni.

Irving, 28, averaged 27.4 points and 6.4 assists per game last season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery on March 3.

Nash did not commit to any playing time plan or approach with either player but joked that neither would play 72 games, the total the NBA and players agreed to for 2020-21.

"I love our team, I love our roster. I can coach these guys and try to build something incredibly competitive," Nash said.

Australian Associated Press