Report: Anthony Bennett leaving over $2M on the table after Wolves buyout
Anthony Bennett really values the opportunity to choose where his career will go from here.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly agreeing to buy the former No. 1 pick out, Bennett could be roughly 48 hours from getting to hand-pick his third team ahead of his third NBA season. In order to do so, Bennett left more than $2 million on the table.
Bennett has agreed to take $3.6 million in the buyout, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press. That's far less than the guaranteed, $5.8-million salary that was otherwise owed to him this season. He also forgoes the $7.3-million team option the Wolves would have had on him for the 2016-17 season.
This assumes, however, that Bennett clears waivers. The Wolves need to officially waive Bennett, after which teams will have 48 hours to claim him and his contract at the pre-buyout amount. The Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers have the requisite cap space to absorb him and are expected to consider doing so, which would remove the Wolves from any financial obligation.
Related: What would be the best landing spot for Anthony Bennett?
If Bennett clears waivers, the Wolves will shave about $2.2 million off their books, plus be able to clear an additional set-off amount commensurate with whatever Bennett's new salary is. Bennett, meanwhile, can recoup some of the forgone salary with a new deal, one he'd be free to sign with a team of his choosing if he clears.
Considering he took a substantial haircut to secure his freedom, organizational fit seems likely to be far more important to Bennett than salary. The Blazers could represent a nice fit, as assistant coach Jay Triano is the head coach of Team Canada, with whom Bennett enjoyed some success this summer.
The 2013 No. 1 pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bennett struggled through shoulder problems, asthma, sleep apnea, and vision issues as a rookie. He was then dealt to Minnesota as part of the return for Kevin Love, and while he took small steps forward as a sophomore, he was still largely disappointing.
In 109 career games, Bennett has averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds, shooting 39.3 percent from the floor and 26.3 percent from long range. But Bennett is still just 22, a terrific athlete, and has the makings of an outside shot, meaning he has the potential to fit the role of a modern NBA power forward, at least on the offensive end.
Players with lottery pedigree at that age don't hit the market often - or ever - so even though Bennett has disappointed, his foray through waivers and into free agency will be one of the leading stories ahead of training camps opening next week.