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NBA Rumors: Timberwolves floating Anthony Bennett as trade bait

By Jonathan Bass

Feb 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett (24) dribbles in the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett (24) dribbles in the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly dangling Anthony Bennett as trade bait.

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Can Anthony Bennett make it three teams in three years? According to Marc Stein, the Minnesota Timberwolves are floating the former No. 1 overall pick as trade bait prior to Thursday’s NBA Draft.

Why Minnesota wants to part with Bennett one summer after trading for him is not so much the question as what do they actually expect to get in return.

Bennett has been terribly disappointing during his two seasons in the league. His rookie campaign in Cleveland was historically bad, and the following year in Minnesota wasn’t much better. For his career, Bennett has averaged 4.7 points, 3.4 rebounds .6 assists and .2 blocks per game. If there is any silver lining (and this is the slimmest of glimmers) it’s that he elevated his points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks from Year 1 to Year 2, while lowering his turnovers and fouls. Granted the numbers still don’t jump off the page, but there was still improvement.

Minnesota likely knows it will get little from Bennett, save some expiring contracts or pieces to be repackaged in a later deal. News of the move all but assures that the Timberwolves will select Karl-Anthony Towns first overall on Thursday. Towns is a skilled defender that will pair well with the more offensively polished Andrew Wiggins (2015 Rookie of the Year); he’ll also be able to stretch the court and open up the lane.

Given the way the draft has sized up, Bennett had already looked like the odd man out in Minnesota. Now with news of him on the block it appears he has one foot out the door.

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