[image-1]Former number one overall pick Anthony Bennett was waived by the NBA’s Toronto Raptors on March 1. The Raptors needed to clear a roster spot, GM Masai Ujiri said, so they could sign a marginally more attractive non-impact big man to ride the bench.
Bennett, who played only 19 games with the Raptors this season and averaged a mere point-and-a-half in the process, was the first-ever Canadian b-baller drafted in the top spot. His signing by the Raptors in the off-season was considered a homecoming for him.
Bennett was traded by the Cavs (who drafted him) to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with Andrew Wiggins (a fellow Canadian and number one overall pick) as part of the deal that netted the Cavs Kevin Love. But the TWolves dropped Bennett after a single uninspiring year.
Uninspiring is in fact a charitable way to describe the NBA saga of Bennett, a chubby kid from UNLV in whom former Cavs GM Chris Grant saw tremendous potential. Bennett is now held among the very biggest — if not the biggest — NBA draft busts of all time.
This article appears in Mar 2-8, 2016.
Bennett actually spent last summer in Toronto trying to catch a spark for his disappointing pro career by playing for the Canadian National Team in the Pan American Games. He averaged 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds for the tourney and the squad earned a silver medal, though the competition was more NBA Summer League than a prelude to the Rio Summer Olympic Games.
the kid never had a chance,in order to play in any league you must be given a chance,the raps are playing veterans that is playing more than 15 minutes per night with no points to show for it,he definitely can score but must get the development,so far no team have given him that chance,look at the line up each night and look at the score sheet,every time he gets in the game and get a bucket he is taken out right away.i do hope someone gives him a chance,players needs time to develop,all player miss more than they score in their first few years.
the raptors blew thisone
I think being drafted No 1 overall qualifies as “being given a chance.”
Sam Allard: you are a massive doucheba, and your writing skills are severely lacking.
Wow….says you….just took a peek at your profile. What have you ever accomplished you ugly POS.
It was a poor move to go home to Toronto. He was never going to get laying time behind three quality forwards. His agent should be “kicked to the curb” ASAP for allowing the move to Toronto. Bennett should have tried Philadelphia and Phoenix (both may be interested), or even New York (Phil Jackson’s Triangle could work for him and he has experience bringing the best out of end-of-the-road players). Bennett has skills and potential, but he’s a role player not a star. He needs an opportunity to play and be a role plyer.
It was a poor move to go home to Toronto. He was never going to get playing time behind three quality forwards. His agent should be “kicked to the curb” ASAP for allowing the move to Toronto. Bennett should have tried Philadelphia and Phoenix (both may be interested), or even New York (Phil Jackson’s Triangle could work for him and Phil has experience bringing the best out of end-of-the-road players). Bennett has skills and potential, but he’s a role player not a star. He needs an opportunity to play and be a role player.|