Forward Kris Humphries Re-Signs With Nets
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Move over, Kim Kardashian. Power forward Kris Humphries has re-signed with the Nets.
The Nets announced the deal on Wednesday without releasing details, although it is believed to be a one-year contract worth $8 million.
"Kris had a breakout season last year, and established himself as one of the premier rebounders in the league," Nets general manager Billy King said. "We look forward to his continued progress and his addition will certainly add stability to our frontcourt rotation."
Humphries' offseason will be best remembered for his short-lived marriage to the E! reality star. Kardashian filed for divorce just 72 days after the couple's high-profile wedding.
The 26-year-old averaged career bests of 10 points and 10.4 rebounds last season. He started 44 of 74 games and shot almost 53 percent from the field.
New Jersey acquired Humphries in a mid-season trade with Dallas in 2009-10. He became a free agent after last season.
However, the Nets still have few reasons for optimism coming off a 24-58 season and making no major improvements to their roster since the season ended in April.
"I don't want to put my team in any position where they think they can't win," said head coach Avery Johnson. "The main thing right now is that we want small victories, establish small goals. We really have short term goals right now or what (assistant coach) P.J. (Carlesimo) calls a small menu. There's so much uncertainty right now that we can't pinpoint one thing. We have to play four out of five and six out of eight nights. The key right now is doing a good job of keeping the games tight."
Johnson has to realize he doesn't have a roster that can compete from the outset. The team is so-so with talent at power forward, with only journeyman Sheldon Williams and rookie Jordan Williams in camp -- and Humphries on the way. The younger Williams can't practice at full strength right now and Johnson hinted that the second-round pick out of Maryland might be headed for the NBA Development League.
"Let us get the roster set before I say something about what I have," said Johnson, whose team begins the shortened 2011-12 season next Monday against Washington. "It's hard to say what we have. I know (general manager) Billy (King) has a few irons in the fire. But we're going on the idea that we're going to start opening night with this team we have. I can't try to put something in for a player or something that's not here."
Since the Nets opened training camp, there were rampant trade rumors about the team making a push to acquire All-Star center Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic, but those talks have fizzled considerably since the Magic announced they were taking Howard off the market for now and expect him to begin the season in Orlando.
"The main thing is that we don't want to put any unreasonable expectations on this team," Johnson said.
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