NY Knicks: Could Kris Humphries Be the Key to Deron Williams?

"The way is very simple, the way to success.  We're going to turn Knicks fan into Nets fan. That's it."

-New Jersey Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov

• Prokhorov puts up a gigantic billboard across the street from Madison Square Garden, featuring himself and his co-owner, music icon Jay-Z. The city is abuzz with talk of how the new kid in town just flipped off the big dog.
• James Dolan signs Amar'e Stoudemire to a max contract while the Nets get shut out by the big-name free agents. Take that you little punk.
• The Carmelo Anthony saga goes back and forth. He's going to the Knicks. No, he's going to the Nets. Prokhorov is going to meet with Anthony. Dolan is going to meet with Anthony. Trades are reportedly completed. Supposedly completed trades hit snags. Nobody's sure what the truth is, both teams talked about.
• Dolan ends up trading for Camelo Anthony, here's that universal greeting right back at yo..until Prokhorov shocks everyone and snags Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz. Both teams have people abuzz, but Prokhorov has won. Knicks GM Donnie Walsh all but admits he would have preferred Williams over Anthony, but never knew Williams was available. Screeching tires and maniacal laughter seems to be coming from the Lincoln Tunnel as the new kid heads back home.

Welcome to the Battle for New York.

In the city that never sleeps, two gigantic egos and some of the deepest pockets are battling it out for the heart of a city.

While the Knicks were dismantled by the Boston Celtics in the last two games of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, the Nets were all home, watching from the comfort of their living room couches, not making the playoffs.

Both teams have a solid foundation to build upon: the Knicks with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Nets with Brook Lopez, Deron Williams and Kris Humphries.

Most would agree the Knicks' two glaring issues are a big man who can rebound, and a point guard who can run the offense (i.e. get the ball to Stat and 'Melo, don't take awful shots, and try putting a body on Rajon Rondo).

As discussed here, picking up Chauncey Billups' 2012 option, while steep at $14 million, is probably the logical thing for the Knicks to do at point guard for the present. His contract would come off their cap number just in time for the shopping spree that is expected in the summer of 2012, with superstar point guards like Chris Paul and the aforementioned Williams possibly on the market.

Speaking of Deron Williams' Nets, did I mention that Kris Humphries was an unrestricted free agent?

Sorry.

Kris Humphries is an unrestricted free agent.

While undersized for a power forward, he emerged this season as a rebounding machine, having 40 games with double digit rebounds on his way to averaging a double-double on the season, 10.0 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per game. Only 26 and athletic, he is entering the prime of his career. Last I checked, the Knicks needed someone to clean the glass.

An offer from the Knicks forces Prokhorov to make a decision.

Does he re-sign an important cog for the Nets as he prepares them to invade the big dog's backyard in Brooklyn?

Or does he let the Knicks add a valuable piece, possibly improving his arch-rival's odds to advance in the playoffs?

Really, it's a win-win situation for the Knicks.

If Prokhorov decides he wants to keep Humphries, he's going to be adding a substantial amount to his salary cap for the foreseeable future. If he lets Humphries sign with the Knicks, Amar'e Stoudemire would slide over to fill the gaping black hole that is the Center position in the Knicks starting lineup.

With the impending lockout, chances are that when the dust settles, the salary cap will be substantially lower, and there may be changes to (if not the total removal of) the 'Larry Bird Rule', which allows teams to go over the salary cap in order to retain their own free agents.

If Humphries is locked in, this lessens what the Nets would be able to offer Deron Williams.

If Humphries is a Knick, this may lessen the attractiveness for Williams to stay with the Nets.

Did I mention the Knicks will have at least $18 million coming off their cap number after next season, between Chauncey Billups and Ronny Turiaf? I can see the big dog smiling now.

Woof.