Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors: Wolves and Anthony Bennett Reach Buy-Out Agreement?
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Bennett are most likely parting ways.
The Timberwolves have agreed to buy out Bennett's contract after failing to find a team to trade him to, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported. By cutting the 2013 No. 1 draft pick, the Timberwolves will have an extra roster spot and more flexibility with their salary cap.
Bennett, 22, has $22.6 million and three years left on his contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent after clearing waivers.
Bennett could be headed for three different teams per Wojnarowski, who wrote:
"Bennett's reps have been eager for a contract buyout to allow him the chance for greater playing time, league sources said. The Timberwolves have a deep frontcourt, and there is little, if any, future for him with the franchise.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers have the salary-cap space to claim Bennett and his $5.8 million salary for the 2015-16 season. Cleveland has a trade exception that could absorb Bennett, but that scenario is farfetched. A third team - the Utah Jazz - could waive two non-guaranteed contracts and have the space to claim Bennett, but they are unlikely to be interested, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
The Timberwolves acquired the Canadian forward with the 2014 No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins in a three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers landed Kevin Love in that deal.
In the 2014-15 season, Bennett played in 57 games and averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
