Dwight Howard Rumors: Kris Humphries Deal a Precursor to a Dwight Blockbuster?

Kris Humphries will be a member of the Brooklyn Nets next season. For now that is.

The former Minnesota standout inked an expensive two-year, $24 million deal with Brooklyn, probably making more money than he would if he tested the open market (via SI.com).

While many have chastised the Nets for definitely overpaying for Humphries, there was a method to their madness.

According to John Hollinger of ESPN.com:

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Paying Humphries $12 million means that the combination of Humphries, Tyshawn Taylor and Reggie Evans can be used to take back $18.6 million in contracts from Orlando -- which conveniently, is exactly enough to swallow the contracts of Orlando veterans Glen Davis, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon and Quentin Richardson and clean the Magic’s books going forward.

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Keep in mind, the proposed deal that would send Howard to the Nets could only happen when Brook Lopez can be traded, which would be in the middle of January.

Even so, the Nets seem to be building a compelling case for the Magic, a team that wants to completely rebuild.

Here is a possible deal that would send D-12 to Brooklyn:

Orlando Receives: Kris Humphries, Tyshawn Taylor, Reggie Evans, Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks and multiple first rounders

Brooklyn Receives: Dwight Howard, Quentin Richardson, Jason Richardson, Glen Davis and Chris Duhon

This deal really benefits the Magic. When you can get rid of most of your bad contracts, pick up a solid frontcourt of Humphries and Lopez, while also building for the future (Brooks and the draft picks), it really is a huge win.

The Nets come out fine too. Acquiring the best big man in the league is a great prize, especially when you pick up solid role players in the trade too.

Howard does get his way in this deal and he joins a formidable starting lineup which includes All-Stars Deron Williams and Joe Johnson and Bosnian star forward Mirza Teletovic.

In essence, Howard makes the Nets relevant for the first time since at least the Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin days.

This new development should make Lakers and Rockets management worried because it puts the Nets, Howard's preferred location, back into the mix.

Many believed that when Brook Lopez signed his four-year, $61 million deal, Howard would have to choose between being traded to Houston or Los Angeles or signing with the Mavericks in the 2013 offseason.

Now, Houston and Los Angeles will need to fend off a rising Brooklyn franchise that would give D-12 exactly what he wants, and possibly more.