Good morning. Missed you Tuesday. Let’s basketball.
Anthony Bennett isn’t the worst No. 1 pick ever ... yet
Good morning. That and more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
A NEW LOW: Minnesota has waived former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett just two years into his career. Bennett wasn’t exactly a consensus No. 1 -- he was a surprise to many when Cleveland picked him in 2013 -- but no one expected this. Bennett was injured his sole season at UNLV and didn’t participate much in the draft process; he never really got in shape as a rookie, was tossed into the Kevin Love trade and never took off in Minnesota. Instead of continuing to pray, the Wolves gave him up. As it turns out, No. 1 picks are pretty expensive.
Marc Stein reports that the Blazers may claim him or sign him if he clears waivers. Most expect the salary-floor-seeking Sixers to take a stab. Sean Highkin explains why Bennett failed.
Two important notes: 1972 No. 1 overall pick LaRue Martin (Blazers) lasted just four seasons in the NBA before washing out, so Bennett needs to hang on before reverse-surpassing him. And it’s worth noting that has played 1,557 career NBA minutes, not far behind 2007 No. 1 pick Greg Oden’s 2,028. Of course, Oden was picked before Kevin Durant and Martin was taken ahead of Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo. There hasn’t yet been a single All-Star from Bennett’s class of 2013.
THE CLEVELAND CHASM: Brian Windhorst reports that the Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson remain $14 million apart on a new deal. T.T. wants his max ($94 million) while Cleveland is only offering $80 million. Y’all know it’s almost October, right?
GALLONS OF HOPE: Zach Lowe on how Danilo Gallinari just might be back, and so might the Nuggets. My issue with the Nuggets is their roster moves have suggested a team preparing to reload over a couple of seasons through the draft -- not a quick retool. Giving up Ty Lawson for a draft pick and roster chaff when your other option at the spot is a 19-year-old rookie (Emmanuel Mudiay) is not the move of a team that believes itself a playoff contender. That said, there are some interesting young pieces and maybe I’m overrating Mudiay’s learning curve and underrating Michael Malone’s ability.
NO FUTURE IN YOUR FRONTIN’: Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton have ranked the future prospects of all 30 NBA franchises. No. 1 is no surprise.
HAPPY PIPPEN WEEK: Blog-a-Bull is celebrating everything that made Scottie Pippen great.
SOMEONE STILL BELIEVES IN RICKY: Jared Dubin’s All-Breakout team includes La Pistola and multiple Rockets.
Happy Wednesday. See you next time.
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