LAS VEGAS -- Kevin Durant was back in his self-proclaimed "basketball heaven" on Tuesday, surrounded by (most) of the best players in the world as Team USA gathered for three days of meetings, light on-court work and an exhibition game.

It's a non-competition year for USA Basketball, so there are no games or tournaments to prepare for -- nothing pressing beyond where the next vacation spot will be.

Yet Durant, back with Team USA after abruptly leaving the squad last summer before the FIBA World Championships, has more on his mind than ever. And as we push closer to the start of the 2015-16 season, the spotlight is only going to shine brighter on the 2014 MVP.

First, the good news: Durant said Tuesday he can go 100 percent after surgery in March on a Jones fracture in his right foot that wasn't healing properly. He hasn't played five-on-five yet, but said he's been "getting after it" for about a month in individual drills-- and has been pain-free since about four weeks post-surgery.

"Four months after surgery," he said, "I'm excited to be back on the court."

More good news for the Thunder: Durant spoke glowingly of the team's new coach, Billy Donovan, who replaced Scott Brooks -- a man with whom Durant had grown close during their seven seasons together. 

"I know what it takes to have that chemistry with your coach," Durant said. "We’ve been building that since [Donovan] got there and it’s been going well. I’m excited to start the season with him. As far as X’s and O’s, he’s one of the best just from watching film with him and picking his brain a bit. He’s eager to learn and we’re all eager to grow with him."

A pain-free, motivated Durant, getting on the same page with his new coach and believing that as long as they're healthy, the Thunder have everything they need to compete for a championship. What could go wrong?

"That competitive juice is just boiling in my body," Durant said. "I'm ready to play."

This will be a season like no other for Durant, faced with overcoming doubts -- some of them, his own, he admitted -- about whether the foot injury that sidelined him last season would become a long-term issue.

"I had my days where I’m like, 'Man, this is not getting any better,'" Durant said. "... It was kind of like cabin fever, just staring into the gym by myself with the whole Thunder coaching staff and training staff. I was like in a fishbowl, man. It feels good to spread my wings a bit and get back out there on the floor."

But if Durant thought he was in a fishbowl then, he hasn't seen anything yet.

An unrestricted free agent in July 2016, Durant knows what's coming. He's known since last summer, when he opened up about his looming free agency during Team USA camp -- probably a little too much.

Evidently, he's learned his lesson, because he said nothing Tuesday to stoke the flames of speculation about whether he'll leave the Thunder next summer for his hometown Wizards or parts unknown.

"I’ll deal with that once I get there," Durant said. "My main focus and goal is to be the best player and lead my team and have fun playing the game again. That’s really all I’m focused on. You guys have to do your job and ask those type of questions, but I’m just trying to focus on being 100 percent committed to Oklahoma City and being the best leader that I can be there."

As he patiently rehabbed and battled through self-doubt, Durant said he played "a lot of 2K," and admitted that he watched the NBA playoffs -- despite saying previously that he wouldn't. He also paid close attention to the annual free-agency circus -- and didn't have any issues with it.

"I wouldn't say it’s a circus," he said. "I tip my hat to all the guys that got the deals that they wanted and guys that moved teams. I’m just happy for guys that did what they wanted to do and were able to take care of their families in the process. So I wouldn't say it was a crazy time. I thought it was great to see."

But as he braces for a full season of speculation, Durant took the opportunity to offer media training for the media. And the lesson was well-received: If it doesn't come from Durant, his agent, Rich Kleiman, or his manager and best friend, Charlie Bell -- don't believe it.

"Whoever says anything, it’s not true because it didn’t come from us," he said. "Simple as that."

But it isn't that simple, and Durant knows it.

"I know it's coming," he said. "It's the year, I’m coming off the injury, a lot of people are expecting me to do this and come back as a better player and a lot of people may be doubting me as well. But that’s part of the game. I’m just trying to have fun playing the game. I just want to smile on the court again and go through that whole season with joy and peace."

It's the calm before all hell breaks loose for Durant, and by all indications, he's enjoying it. All he'll do here in Vegas is put up a few shots, go to a couple of meetings and try to leave the impression with USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski that he's committed for the 2016 Olympics in Rio after bowing out last year. He compared being back on the floor with the game's biggest stars to "Christmas as a kid."

"To bounce ideas off Chris Paul and LaMarcus Aldridge, Draymond Green and Steph Curry, it’s like heaven," he said. "It’s like being in basketball heaven."

Real life gets a lot more complicated soon, and it's quite possible that Durant will find himself as the most scrutinized basketball player on the planet in a few short months.

"I look forward to that," he said. "I can’t wait. Boo me, call me any type of name in the book, talk about my family. It is what it is, and I’m ready for it."

One step at a time.

Kevin Durant is back on the court with Team USA. (USATSI)
Kevin Durant is back on the court with Team USA. (USATSI)