Minnesota Timberwolves prefer Thaddeus Young to Anthony Bennett?

Apr 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) looks to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 113-108. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers have essentially completed a deal that will send star power forward Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a package that features the top-overall pick in last month’s draft, swingman Andrew Wiggins. Most expected the top-overall pick of last year’s draft, forward Anthony Bennett, to also be included but it appears the Timberwolves would rather send him to the Philadelphia 76ers and bring back veteran forward Thaddeus Young.

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Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders would choose Bennett if he were rebuilding.

"I’d prefer Bennett in a rebuilding situation. The ability to pick and pop from 3 while still rebounding and defending the position is so valuable. Bennett hasn’t show the ability to do any of those things, but he has the potential to even if it’s not that likely. He just has to start hitting his shots (easier said than done, I know). Young won’t be part of the next good Wolves team, so what’s the point?"

Young went for 17.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game and shot 45.4% from the field, 30.8% from beyond the arc and 71.2% from the free throw line this season. Love averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game last season while shooting 45.7% from the field, 37.6% from three and 82.1% from the charity stripe last season. Bennett averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 35.6% from the field, 24.5% from beyond the arc and 63.8% from the free throw line. Wiggins averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game for the Jayhawks last season while shooting 44.8% from the field, 34.1% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free throw line. Wiggins was ranked as the top prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express .

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