The Minnesota Timberwolves may have run out of options as far as handling Anthony Bennett, leading to reports that both sides have agreed to a contract buyout.
News about the contract buyout comes from Yahoo Sports, meaning that Bennett would be free to join any other team after he clears waivers in the next 48 hours.
Bennett became the odd man out of the T-Wolves which is filled with young and better forwards than the top pick of the 2013 NBA Draft of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 22-year-old Canadian has been a pretty big disappointment in the NBA and has been included in the list of top picks who didn’t turn out that well. Just the same, the Cavaliers justified their decision to pick Bennett at that time.
Bennett did show promise back during his UNLV playing days but apparently a shoulder injury prior to his joining the 2013 Draft hindered him from showing his potential.
In 2013, not too many NBA teams were willing to take a chance on Bennett and eyes rolled when the Cavaliers surprisingly took a chance at the 6-foot-8 power forward. He spent most of his rookie year on the bench.
Bennett showed some glimmer of hope in 2014, slimming down and improving from his maiden season. But before he could show those improvements with the Cavs, he was dealt alongside Andrew Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Kevin Love.
He was hardly used in Minnesota and his stay was all the more put into question when the ballclub selected Karl-Anthony Towns from the 2015 NBA Draft.
From there it was clear that the Timberwolves would have to dislodge Bennett seeing that they had an overstock of forwards on the roster. Minnesota officially announced back in June that they were placing Bennett on the trading block but at the right price.
Apparently, there were no takers and hence leading to the latest report of a contract buyout.
Once he clears waivers, there are reportedly four teams interested in pursuing Bennett. That curiously includes his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers and the Utah Jazz.
Most of the teams mentioned do have the necessary cap space to accommodate Bennett except perhaps for the Jazz. Utah would have to waive a partially guaranteed contract to clear an additional $600,000 to get Bennett.
The T-Wolves will however still be responsible for the balance of the buyout agreement with Bennett. Whichever team that ends up getting him can negotiate a separate deal.