Insiders Video

Humphries Eager to Run with Wall, Wizards

ScreenHunter_124 Jul. 16 20.28

Kris Humphries is looking forward to being on the run. On the court, that is.

This week Humphries reached an agreement to join the Washington Wizards as part of a sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics. The deal is reported to be for three years worth $13 million. It is expected to be finalized soon.

Now entering his 11th NBA season, Humphries is eager to play with an uptempo team, led by John Wall. He considered other organizations, including staying with the Celtics, but the Wizards system was a strong fit for his game.

“Sometimes when you just get in the right opportunity and the right organization and chance to get out and kind of play your style of basketball and it all works out, you kind of got to go for it,” Humphries told Basketball Insiders at the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Last season Humphries averaged 8.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 19.9 minutes. The 6-9 forward is focused on getting in “as great of shape as possible” to get out and go with his new teammates.

In addition to Wall, Humphries also noted the recent addition of veteran Paul Pierce and the presence of big men Marcin Gortat and Nene.

“I’m looking to just come in off the bench, bring energy, rebound, defend, and do the things I’ve done for the last ten years in the NBA,” he said.

Humphries twice referred to the Wizards as an “already successful team.” Last season they finished 44-38, fifth in the East, and reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The team is focused on building on this momentum, which coincides with Humphries ultimate career goal.

“Obviously winning a championship is important,” he said, “So (I’m) just working toward that.”

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Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.

All posts by Jeff Hawkins
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.

All posts by Jeff Hawkins