Anthony Bennett was the surprising first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since being drafted Bennett has been a disappointment in the NBA due to injuries and underwhelming performance but he may be poised for a breakout season in 2015-16. Bennett is entering his third year in the league and the Minnesota Timberwolves have a decision to make on whether they want to pick up Bennett's fourth year option at $7.31 million for 2016-17. As of right now Flip Saunders is unsure what they will do according to Zach Lowe of Grantland.com.
After playing in 52 games as a rookie the Cavaliers used Bennett and his potential as one of the trade chips, along with Andrew Wiggins, to acquire Kevin Love from the Timberwolves. Bennett had a better year last season with the Wolves but he still has yet to live up to his potential making the option decision the Timberwolves face a difficult one.
Saunders said they are going to use training camp and the entire summer to evaluate Bennett to see if he is worthy of having his option picked up.
"We're going to evaluate him over the summer. He played a good Pan American Games. There is no question about his talent. It's about getting in shape. He's in shape now," said Saunders.
Bennett averaged 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds in five games for team Canada in the Pan American Games so that could be a sign that he is ready for a breakout season in Minnesota. Saunders has said Bennett's first two years didn't go well because he doesn't have confidence he can remain healthy but now he is healthy and his confidence should be sky high.
This upcoming season the Wolves are stacked in the front court with Kevin Garnett and Karl-Anthony Towns as the projected starters and Nikola Pekovic, Gorgui Dieng and Bennett coming off the bench. Garnett won't play more than 20 minutes a night more than likely so there are minutes to be had and if Bennett plays as well as he did in the Pan American Games he will force his way into big minutes.
Last season in 57 games with the Wolves Bennett averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game while shooting 42 percent from the field. The Timberwolves have until October 31st to decide if they want to pick up Bennett's fourth year option.
