GTA’s Anthony Bennett to join Raptors

ESPN’s Jeff Goodman first reported that Bennett was expected to sign with Toronto after clearing waivers Friday.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers could have claimed Bennett using cap space, while the Cleveland Cavaliers could have used a trade exception to absorb Bennett. But he and the Timberwolves agreed to a .65 million buyout, allowing Bennett to be placed on waivers Wednesday.

He was scheduled to make $5.8 million this season, and the team would have had to make a decision this year on a $7.3 million option for 2016. Bennett, from Brampton, Ont., was the top pick of the 2013 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Because they have interior presence Jonas Valanciunas at center and guards who like to attack the basket off the dribble, the Raptors have generally favored power forwards with shooting range. Scola also plays primarily on the perimeter, though he favors long 2-pointers, having shot 44.5 percent on 2-point attempts beyond 16 feet in his career, according to Basketball-Reference.com. Bennett can rebound, he can run the floor, and if Toronto can bring him along this “bust” can help them. The Timberwolves have a load of power forwards on the roster, including Kevin Garnett, this year’s No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns, Euroleague MVP Nemanja Bjelica and Adreian Payne, in addition to Shabazz Muhammad, a small forward who could slide to the post in small-ball lineups. There is also some belief that Blazers assistant coach Jay Triano – who coached Bennett this summer on Canada’s national team – could get something out of Bennett.