PHILADELPHIA — When Allonzo Trier was a high school whiz in Oklahoma City, he befriended the local NBA superstar. Kevin Durant, then a Thunder forward, had heard about the burgeoning pro nearby and reached out to him. That connection led Trier to a peek into the world he aspired to reach.



As a high school star, Trier’s routine was set, from school to regular nights of sleep. In the league, he saw naps were a mainstay —a clue that life was different in the NBA. He worked out with Durant at the Thunder facility and could pepper him with questions if he wanted to. Trier leaned on him for advice during his difficult moments at Arizona.



That relationship with Durant has endured; just one of many NBA players Trier can rely on or call friends. Those ties helped prepare him for the league long before he reached it.



“I just know that I’ve been around the game and gotten knowledge from not only my peers but guys that are older than...