Kris Humphries: Best Potential Fits for Struggling Nets' Forward
Kris Humphries had it all going for him heading into the 2012-13 NBA season.
The Nets forward inked a huge two-year, $24 million deal over the summer after exploding onto the scene by averaging a double-double for his team in back-to-back seasons.
Now he’s the victim of NBA trade rumors after falling out of favor with the Nets staff.
Even new Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo hasn’t found a way to work him back into the rotation, leaving him relegated to near-reserve status.
Money is likely a big factor in the equation as the Nets attempt to build a squad capable of competing with the Miami Heat and New York Knicks. Someone in the organization may be having buyer’s remorse with Humphries if they feel he isn’t the right guy to help them to that end.
That could certainly help explain why the team is treating the situation as it is and dangling Humphries in an attempt to land a bigger fish.
Let’s take a look at some of the latest trade rumors and examine how Humphries fits with each potential new team.
Charlotte likely covets Humphries, as the team lacks a viable and versatile low-post scorer. As a result they’re interested in dealing veteran guard Ben Gordon in order to remedy that deficiency.
The Bobcats could definitely find a spot for Humphries to get back on the court on a more regular basis. If this move goes through, Charlotte will have a solid nucleus of young guards and a rotation of big men that could help the club climb out of the basement of the Eastern Conference.
The Nets are reportedly willing to go all-in to acquire Hawks swingman Josh Smith, according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard.
In order to do so, they’ll need to part with Humphries. Humphries can’t be traded to both Charlotte and Atlanta, so we’ll take a look at why he fits in Atlanta.
The Hawks are undergoing a big transformation. Josh Smith is on his way out, and the team sent star Joe Johnson to the Nets over the summer. Adding a guy like Humphries now, before Smith eventually leaves in the summer, would be a great move for GM Danny Ferry.
While Humphries would not be able to replace Smith’s overall productivity, he could be a double-double player game in and game out. He could also provide Atlanta with excellent low-post play that it simply won’t have after Smith departs.
Brooklyn is unlikely to make anything happen with Atlanta and Charlotte in its efforts to execute a Humphries for Smith or Humphries for Gordon deal, according to the New York Daily News’ Mitch Lawrence.
Lawrence also said the Nets are “focusing on Paul Millsap or another power forward” as the trade deadline approaches. With the Jazz preferring to deal Millsap over big man Al Jefferson, according to Comcast Sports NBA Analyst Ric Bucher, the Nets may have found their ideal scenario.
If Brooklyn wants Utah to consider sending Millsap to the East Coast, the Nets will probably have to sweeten the pot with draft picks or another player. Millsap has been a central figure for the Jazz over the past seven seasons. The 28-year-old is efficient, posting a 20.36 PER, but he has been slowly falling off production-wise the last couple of seasons.
