WASHINGTON _ Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have never traveled with the Nets when inactive, which, especially on long trips, could lead to a level of detachment between franchise cornerstones and their franchise.
But Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said he expects both to be in attendance once their rehabs allow it.
"I always hark back to the priority's got to be what's best for them from a rehab standpoint. That overrides everything," Atkinson said. "And sometimes they want to come, and we're like "No, you need to be on the AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill) at home.
"And we just can't provide the same type of rehab conditions on the road and that's priority No. 1. I think we'll continue to do that. But I think in the future you'll see that change as the rehab processes get further down the road."
Irving has yet to undergo his season-ending shoulder surgery and Atkinson said it hasn't been scheduled. The point guard hasn't played since Feb. 2, when he suffered a sprained knee. A specialist then determined the shoulder impingement, which sidelined Irving for 26 games earlier in the season, requires surgery.
It's unclear why Irving, who attended Kobe Bryant's memorial service in L.A. this week, would be held back from attending road games if he's just awaiting surgery. When injured, he didn't even travel to a road game at Madison Square Garden. Durant, meanwhile, is out for the season because of a torn Achilles.
"It's just when we can afford to have them with us and say, 'Well, we can do the same thing on the road rehab-wise," Atkinson said. "I know those guys would be thrilled. We'd be thrilled to have them come. It's an advantage and we can be around those guys. It's better for us, better for the organization."
Irving's attendance _ or absence _ will be noted on Tuesday when the Nets play in Boston. The 27-year-old is the enemy to Celtics fans who believe he dogged his two seasons in Beantown before leaving in free agency.
