Yahoo Sports has reported that the Timberwolves are working on a buyout of the 22-year-old, a move that would make the top pick from 2013 a free agent.
While the move would be surprising, a closer look at the situation with the team has the small forward far down the depth chart and highly unlikely to see much playing time in the upcoming season, but at such a young age and with flashes of brilliance in the Las Vegas Summer League, it figures another franchise will give the Canadian-born player another shot.
Bret Stuter of Sports Illustrated has suggested that Philadelphia could be a potential landing spot. Bennett has suffered through injuries, sleep apnea, and even asthma, which many basketball experts have said contributed to his poor play.
The 6’8″ Toronto native averaged just 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds with the T-Wolves last season and while those numbers where career highs, it doesn’t make sense to pay the youngster millions to be a supporting bench player. Another change of venue could be just what the youngster needs and a move to Philly would take some pressure off and maybe help gain some confidence.
The former UNLV star has struggled with his shot at the NBA level, both from the floor and the free throw line, but his play late November of last year had many thinking he had finally gotten playing at the professional level. With no confidence from the coaching staff, the youngster fell back to bad habits and soon found himself playing just a few minutes each night, not exactly what a young player needs to prove himself.
Philly has struggled in recent years and have a few injured young players of its own, but if he becomes a free agent, the 76ers could do worse than take a gamble on Bennett and with a bit of luck, it could help lead to a few more wins for the once proud franchise.
