It was reported over the summer that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be looking to move forward Anthony Bennett.
A new report surfaced yesterday that Minnesota would be looking to buyout Bennett, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2013, and an agreement has reportedly been reached.
From Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:
Minnesota forward Anthony Bennett has reached agreement on a contract buyout, soon to free him on waivers, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2015
Bennett wanted and received buyout to control fate and success for next NBA team. Portland expected suitor, w/ Canada coaching connections.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2015
Bennett just finished playing for Blazers assistant coaches David Vanterpool and Jay Triano on the Canadian national team this summer. Wojnarowski and Charania also cite the Cavs, Sixers, and Jazz as potential suitors for Bennett. All four teams have cap space or a trade exception to take on Bennett’s $5.8 million contract.
Bennett has to clear waivers in the next two days to become an unrestricted free agent. If he does clear waivers, the Timberwolves have to take care of the balance on his buyout and Bennett can negotiate a new deal with a new team.
More from Woj and Charania:
Bennett was stuck behind several frontcourt players in Minnesota and wanted the chance to pursue his career elsewhere. His representatives are hopeful that no team claims him on waivers and that he will have the opportunity to pick his next destination as a free agent. Philadelphia and Portland plan to look carefully at the possibility of claiming Bennett, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
One of those frontcourt players Bennett would be competing with is this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Karl-Anthony Towns. Bennet was acquired by Minnesota in the Kevin Love deal that brought them the 2014 No. 1 overall pick, Andrew Wiggins.
