Report: Timberwolves reach buyout agreement with Anthony Bennett

Updated Sep 22, 2015 at 12:34p ET

The inevitable has finally come to fruition. Anthony Bennett's days as in Minnesota are reportedly over, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports:

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This is quite the turn for a kid who was drafted first overall by the Cavaliers as recently as 2013. He's still only 22 years old, so someone will want him, even if he does clear waivers.

Bennett was owed $5.8 million for the upcoming season and had a $7.3 million fourth-year option for 2016-17 which had to be picked up or declined by Nov. 2. That likely wasn't going to materialize regardless of whether the Wolves bought out Bennett or traded him. Now, it's off the table, with a new contract on the way.

Before becoming a free agent, Bennett must pass through waivers, but only teams who are under the cap enough to take on his salary are allowed to put in a claim. Considering that Bennett would be a $5.8 million expense for 2015-16 if someone claimed him, you have to imagine he would clear, though Charania does note that the Trail Blazers could stick their head in and make a move for him.

The only other team currently under the cap enough to put in a claim for Bennett is the 76ers. The Jazz are close, but would have to make a move in order to get under the cap enough to sign him—possibly, but highly unlikely.

Bennett was shipped from Cleveland to Minnesota last summer as part of the Andrew Wiggins-centered package that went to the Timberwolves for Kevin Love. He averaged 5.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game in 15.7 minutes a night for the Timberwolves during year two. At only 22 years old, there's still time for Bennett to realize his potential with another organization. We just haven't seen any signs of it happening yet.

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(h/t Charania)

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