Anthony Bennett bought out by Timberwolves, could sign with Trail Blazers

The Timberwolves are working on a contract buyout for Bennett, according to Yahoo Sports. If Bennett passes through waivers without being claimed he would become a free agent and choose which team he plays with next season. Yahoo Sports reported a buyout is likely forthcoming.

Still, Monday’s news that Bennett might be on his way out of Minnesota in return for nothing still qualifies as a surprise. But if he does realize it, he could be a serviceable player to a borderline all-star like Joe Smith, Kenyon Martin and Andrea Bargnani, who were all first overall picks. The Timberwolves were hoping getting Bennett out of the spotlight, bringing him together with fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins and giving him limited minutes would help his development. Since the T-wolves need to clear at least one guaranteed contract, Bennett presumably gained leverage to sacrifice less for that chance to boost his stock. After following the worst team in the league past year , record-wise, Minnesota fans are optimistic that the 2015-16 season will represent the beginning of their return to respectability.

The Timberwolves are looking to unload Bennett after they failed to find a team willing to acquire him in a trade. Karl-Anthony Towns comes in as the starting center while Kevin Garnett takes over the power forward spot. But Amico seems to think that it’s a done deal that Bennett will be bought out, meaning the Sixers could sign him to a deal of their own terms. He averaged 4.2 points, 3 rebounds and 0.3 assists a game in Cleveland.

The Timberwolves have an impressive roster that makes certain players expendable.

Is it the beginning of the end for 2013 first overall pick, Anthony Bennett?

Kevin Love is a great floor spacing forward who can work with Bennett, whose stroke looks good but not consistent. Bennett averaged 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game at the FIBA Americas Championship, shooting 50 per cent from the field.