The Minnesota Timberwolves have made 2013 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett available on the trade block, ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting.
With reports that the Timberwolves have promised Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns that they will select him with the No. 1 overall pick in this Thursday’s draft, Bennett appears to be the odd man out in a very crowded frontcourt that includes Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic, Adreian Payne and Gorgui Dieng among others.
Unlike most No. 1 overall picks, Bennett’s NBA career has been most noted by near-historic struggles. In his two pro seasons, the 22-year-old Canadian has only averaged 4.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game in just 14.3 minutes per contest.
Minnesota acquired Bennett last off-season as part of the Kevin Love blockbuster with the Cleveland Cavaliers that saw the Timberwolves also acquire 2014 No. 1 overall pick and this year’s rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins.
Bennett was drafted by the Cavaliers, when he became the first Canadian to be selected first overall in the NBA.