National Basketball Association

Durant optimistic he will be ready for training camp

Published May. 1, 2015 12:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

Hours after the Oklahoma City Thunder officially named Billy Donovan their head coach, Kevin Durant gave his new coach a vote and confidence -- and some welcomed news.

Durant, who is still recovering from foot surgery that abruptly cut short his season, told ESPN that he is optimistic that he will be ready for training camp and that he is "extremely excited" about the hiring of Donovan.

Durant had earlier said that the firing of long-time head coach Scott Brooks was "tough" for him, but he added he stood behind the decision "100 percent." He said after the firing that he never lost trust in general manager Sam Presti.

"I know what my job is. I let him do his," Durant told ESPN.

Durant was limited to a career-low 27 games last season after suffering a fractured foot before the season and then having to have a season-ending surgery on the same foot. Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka also had their seasons interrupted due to various injuries.

If the those three players remain healthy and the Thunder can retain restricted free-agent center Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City will be one of the favorites to win the title next season.