Homecomings are supposed to be a great thing for players, unless you’re a former number one overall pick who was doomed to fail in the eyes of the public.
No, I’m not talking about LeBron James going back to Cleveland.
Former number one overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Anthony Bennett, returned home to Canada in the offseason and signed with the Toronto Raptors. The first ever number one overall pick from Canada was supposed to be coming to Toronto and possibly turn his career around for the better.
Yet with just about 25 games to go in the regular season and the Raptors on a playoff push, it appears that the homecoming is over. After 19 games played with the Raptors, Bennett will once again be hitting the free agency market.
In return the Raptors will sign Jason Thompson, another forward who was never really given a shot on his former team, the Golden State Warriors, after acquiring him in the offseason.
Following from Shams Charania of The Vertical on Yahoo! Sports.
The Toronto Raptors will waive former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett on Monday and sign veteran forward Jason Thompson for the remainder of the season, league sources told The Vertical.
The Phoenix Suns are a possible suitor for Bennett once he clears waivers, sources said.
The Thompson signing doesn’t address Toronto’s need for a stretch four but with DeMarre Carroll possibly returning, Thompson’s experience could help the Raptors down the homestretch. He’s a good rebounder with high energy and he’s also a solid defender.
For Bennett, who knows what the future holds. Maybe an NBA team takes a chance on him but after getting moved from his third team in three years, the outlook isn’t too bright.
