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Anthony Bennett To Be Waived; Cavs Return?

By Jared Mueller

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When the Cleveland Cavaliers made Anthony Bennett the #1 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, hopes were high but tempered. Bennett was seen as a young moldable piece of clay with a lot of upside but some concerns. His shoulder injury, conditioning, defense and size all put doubt on his ability to ever live up to the billing as a #1 overall pick.

The Cavs cut their losses quickly, using him as a piece to acquire Kevin Love. 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. Instead the 6’8″ forward averaged less than 16 minutes a game with 5 points, 4 rebounds average while shooting 42% from the field.

Reports are in that Bennett is likely to be bought out by the T’Wolves:

Update: Bennett has reportedly been waived:

Such a quick turn for a player who was drafted just a couple of years ago. Bennett is likely to have suitors but his seeming inability to grasp the game with two teams could mean he looks for a place to develop instead of a place to play right away. He could find quick minutes in Philadelphia or with another rebuilding franchise but may benefit from a team that can groom him, like the Spurs, to tap into his potential.

So what about the Cavs? Could Bennett be the Cavs last bench player on a team already loaded with a lot of big man talent? Would returning to Cleveland even make sense for his psyche? Would the Cavs even take a change on him?

Reasons For Bennett to the Cavs

  • The Cavs have a lot of talent that he can learn from.
  • LeBron James is a great leader who can push to get a lot out of him.
  • Bennett is an upside play compared to veterans who couldn’t play that took up those spots last year.
  • He still has a lot of raw talent.
  • Expectations would be low.
  • Both Tristan Thompson (at this moment) and Timofey Mozgov can be free agents at the end of the year.
  • Kevin Love is a great floor spacing forward who can work with Bennett, whose stroke looks good but not consistent.
  • Bennett is still only 22 years old and had enough talent that he was going to be drafted high, even if the Cavs didn’t make him the #1 overall pick.

Reasons Bennett and Cavs Should Not Reunite

  • Lingering issues after being drafted #1 overall in Cleveland.
  • LeBron likes veterans over young players who don’t “get it.”
  • Keeping the last roster spot open is important in case of any buyout candidates.
  • Bennett doesn’t seem to have a feel for the game.
  • We need a backup small forward more than another big.
  • Bennett likes to shoot from deep, even though he has little history of success.
  • The Cavs have brought in players they like already to battle for the last spot.
  • Bennett can find playing time elsewhere, including going home to Toronto.

More from King James Gospel

Will Anthony Bennett return to the Cavs after he is waived? Probably not, he might even get claimed but that is unlikely given his contract. Instead, expect Bennett to go somewhere he feels comfortable to try to return to the player that was so talented in college.

For the Cavs, finding a high upside, low cost play deep on their bench is the best case scenario. We saw last year what having veterans who can’t get up and down the floor does to a bench. Bennett wouldn’t be expected to do much but if he can develop, could be a part of the Cavs future given Thompson and Mozgov’s contract situation, as well as Anderson Varejao and Kevin Love’s injury history.

It is unlikely to happen but would you want Anthony Bennett back on the Cavs?

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