NBA Rumors: Brooklyn Nets Must Re-Sign Kris Humphries to Make Deep Playoff Run

It sounds odd, but the Brooklyn Nets' hopes of making a deep playoff run this season rest on the shoulders of free agent Kris Humphries.

The only hole in the Nets' projected starting lineup is power forward, and Humphries is the perfect man for the job. Although he's mostly known for his short-lived marriage to Kim Kardashian, Humphries is actually a very productive player.

Last season, only three players averaged at least 13 points and 11 rebounds per game, while shooting at least 48 percent from the floor: Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum and Humphries. That's it.

So, with numbers like that, it's no surprise that Humphries is drawing some interest on the open market. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Nets are currently in a bidding war with the Charlotte Bobcats for Humphries' services.

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Numbers circulating in Kris Humphries' bidding war: Word is Nets offering three-year deal worth $24 mil; Bobcats offering three years, $22M

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 12, 2012"

Although offering more money than that may hurt, Brooklyn's deep-pocketed owner Mikhail Prokhorov would be wise to poney up a little more cash if that's what it takes to keep Humphries with the Nets. Obviously the luxury tax isn't much of an issue for Prokhorov, and the Nets desperately need a quality power forward to compete with the best teams in the East. 

As of now, the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are definitely better than Brooklyn. The Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks might be. If the Nets can re-sign Humphries, though, they will likely be the second, third or fourth seed in the Eastern Conference this season.

They will need some time to jell, but the Nets will have one of the most intriguing rosters in the league. With Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez in the starting lineup, as well as MarShon Brooks coming off the bench, Brooklyn is already a top-five team in the East.

Now, all they need is a power forward who can rebound and use his physicality to bother the likes of Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer. Humphries fits that description perfectly, and if the Nets are smart, they'll do what it takes to bring him to Brooklyn.