The Nets are not giving up on Dwight Howard, despite his last minute change of mind, his melodramatic relationship with Stan Van Gundy and even back surgery on a herniated disk, successfully completed Friday. BUT they will NOT wait for him, but instead push ahead particularly in their pursuit of a power forward.

Their two top candidates for power forward remain Kevin Garnett and Ersan Ilyasova who they face Saturday night in Milwaukee (and who destroyed them earlier this season with a game of 29 and 25). Ryan Anderson is also in the mix. Where does that leave Kris Humphries, who says he wants to return. It remains uncertain how hard they will pursue him despite his 14 and 11 season.

As for the draft, Houston's collapse, more choking than tanking, has muddled the Nets plans. The front office knows it could be left with no picks of its own, but remain confident that they have the assets, including cash, to get into the first round.

• Nets in wait-and-see mode over Howard, other roster moves - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• Nets' Kris Humphries, a target around the NBA, is revered by teammates - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
• Report: The Nets plan to pursue Kevin Garnett in free agency - Matt Moore - NBC Sports