As per @GoodmanESPN, @AnthonyBennett is expected to clear waivers and sign with @Raptors. http://t.co/P4XkyCubSn pic.twitter.com/TbFdDW1OS6
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) September 25, 2015
Former Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett has cleared waivers and, according to a few reports, has already found a new home.
ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reports Bennett, who is originally from Canada, will sign with the Toronto Raptors.
Former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett is expected to clear waivers and sign with Toronto, source close to situation told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) September 25, 2015
The Wolves announced earlier this week that they had reached a buyout agreement with Bennett, who would have made nearly $6 million if he’d stayed with the Timberwolves.
He averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 57 games with the Timberwolves last season, but Bennett was the low man in a deep Wolves front court.
“When you look at our team, our deepest position is probably power forward,” said Wolves general manager Milt Newton in a statement released by the team this week. “This move balances out our roster while also allowing Anthony another opportunity in the NBA. He has a lot of talent and his play this summer internationally made this a difficult decision for us.”
The Wolves acquired Bennett along with Andrew Wiggins in the trade that sent Kevin Love to Cleveland.
Sports Illustrated reports that he became the first No. 1 pick in NBA history not to make it to the fourth year of his rookie contract.
But according to Pro Basketball Talk, it’s too early to completely give up on Bennett.
“Bennett is just 22 and entering his third NBA season, and while he’s never going to be a star it is possible he could develop into a solid rotation player. He’s shown flashes o quality play before – he did it for team Canada this summer at FIBA Americas – but he hasn’t been able to sustain that into the NBA regular season.
