Report: Timberwolves to send Anthony Bennett to 76ers for Thaddeus Young as part of Love trade
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Unlike the Philadelphia 76ers, it appears the Minnesota Timberwolves will be playing for more than just the 2015 draft next season, despite the impending trade of franchise anchor Kevin Love.
According to Mark Perner of the Philadelphia Daily News, once their trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers becomes official (the earliest Cavs rookie Andrew Wiggins can be traded is Aug. 23), the Timberwolves will immediately flip incoming forward, and 2013 No. 1 overall draft pick, Anthony Bennett to the 76ers, as part of a package for veteran forward Thaddeus Young.
Despite toiling on a strategically-weakened 19-win team last season, Young put up career-high averages in points (17.9), assists (2.3), steals (2.1), and usage rate (24.1), while shattering his previous bests in three-point attempts and makes. He won't exactly replicate Love's production, but with Wiggins expected to make an immediate impact next season, adding Young - an excellent off-ball cutter who can capably play both forward positions - could help keep the Wolves afloat (thought "afloat" is not typically where teams aim to be, especially in the unforgiving Western Conference).
The Sixers, meanwhile, will add to their asset stockpile and continue their aggressive bottom-out rebuild. Bennett may be considered a project at this point, but after just one season it would be premature to label him a bust. Despite averaging just 4.2 points in 12.8 minutes per game last season, the 21-year-old made strides as the year wore on, showed up to Summer League in improved shape, and had surgery to help ease his myriad breathing issues.
The deal - while still effectively hypothetical - seems to make sense from both sides. Young, a seven-year vet, is still just 26, and will bring a measure of stability to a young Wolves roster in flux. He's under contract for the next two seasons, at just over $19 million (though the second year carries an early termination option).
Bennett is five years younger, cheaper, offers at least one extra year of team control, and gels more with Philadelphia's lose-now, win-later philosophy.