Humphries putting up some stellar numbers for Nets

The Nets will be among the teams calling the Magic before the next trade deadline to see if Dwight Howard is available or dialing his agent if the All-Star center becomes a free agent after next season.

Getting Howard may be a long shot, but having Deron Williams could improve the Nets' chances. This summer, the Nets will have to decide what to do with their own double-double machine — though Kris Humphries is making their decision relatively easy.

Unless Humphries prices himself too high in free agency, it's hard to see the Nets, who face the Magic tonight, not re-signing him. The looming lockout could decrease salaries, but it's hard to see the selfless Humphries wanting too much.

He's happy playing for the Nets and coach Avery Johnson, and enjoys doing the dirty work in what has been a career season for the seventh-year power forward.

"It's never been an individual thing," said Humphries, who had 18 points and a career-best 23 rebounds in Wednesday's overtime win at Cleveland. "It's just about playing hard. I try to play hard, rebound, run the floor and just try to play the right way. Whatever comes from that, it's nice.

"It feels good to get 20 rebounds or whatever. At the end of the day we want to try and win games and compete. You can't be out there hunting stats."

But Humphries has become one of the NBA's best rebounders – ranking fifth at 10.4 per game in only 27.6 minutes — and one its best stories this season.

The Nets probably will check on power forward David West's availability if he's a free agent this summer.

But they don't want to overspend for anyone and hinder themselves financially if they believe they have a shot at Howard. Humphries already has proven his worth to the Nets.

"I tried to take advantage of this opportunity," Humphries said. "Fortunately, I was able to [and] they kept rolling with me."

It's hard to imagine the Nets won't keep rolling with Humphries.