Report: Timberwolves working toward contract buyout with former No. 1 pick Bennett
The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly progressing toward on a contract buyout with forward Anthony Bennett, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
The former No. 1 pick will become a free agent if he clears waivers after the buyout is made official.
Bennett would stand to earn $5.8 million in 2015-16 - the third and final year of his rookie contract. Instead of exercising its team option, the Wolves seem intent on wiping the slate clean.
The team would have 15 players with guaranteed contracts on its roster - excluding Bennett - as it prepares for its training camp later this month. And so, cutting ties with the 22-year-old now would rid the Wolves of future financial commitment as well as alleviating an already-crowded front court rotation.
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Bennett with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft - an event which raised some eyebrows - as the 6-foot-8 UNLV alumnus had not been projected to go so high in the draft order.
Although some pundits predicted Bennett would likely be a lottery pick, virtually no one foresaw his name being called first by then-Commissioner David Stern.
Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel was widely believed to be top pick material.
After completing a disappointing rookie season with the Cavs with averages of 4.2 points and three rebounds in just 12.8 minutes, he was shipped to Minnesota - along with fellow Canadian and 2014 No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins - as part of a deal that sent Kevin Love to Cleveland.
While Wiggins shone as the Wolves' prized centerpiece, Bennett's struggles continued. Injuries and fluctuating body weight were contributing factors to his 2014-15 woes, as Bennett's inconsistent play - 5.2 points and 3.8 boards - and slow progression rate gave the team's coaching staff little motivation to grant him more than 15.7 minutes per game.
With the 2015-16 campaign rapidly-approaching, it may be mutually beneficial for both sides to go their separate ways - the Wolves can move forward with their young and promising core, while Bennett can search for a team with which he can develop gradually with readjusted expectations.