Toronto Raptors: Anthony Bennett is Low Risk-High Reward

Anthony Bennett is viewed by many as the worst No. 1 pick of all-time. He struggled with injuries and a myriad of odd ailments in his rookie season, was traded and buried on the bench in the second season, and was then waived before the start of his third season.

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Heading into the draft, many mock drafts saw him as a decent prospect. A tweener at the forward spots, Bennett had good size and a nice shooting touch for his position. However, transitioning to the NBA game has been difficult for the Canadian — he isn’€™t athletic enough for the small forward spot, isn’€™t€™ big enough for the power forward spot, and his shot has all but disappeared.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, it seems as though Bennett, who has cleared waivers after being let go by the Minnesota Timberwolves, will sign a contract with the Toronto Raptors. Bennett will be playing for his third team in as many seasons, and his young NBA career is already in jeopardy.

Former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett is expected to clear waivers and sign with Toronto, source close to situation told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) September 25, 2015

But for the Raptors, signing Bennett could be a deal that pays off in the long run. Despite all the largely critical analysis on Bennett, there could still be value for the Raptors here.

Due to the mechanics of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, players who are bought out of their contracts are free to sign with any other team for any figure. The difference between the player’€™s new salary and his previous salary is then covered by the incumbent team. Because of this, teams signing players off the waiver wire often offer them a minimum salary, which, in Bennett’€™s case, is merely $947,276.

Why is this significant? Well, the Timberwolves were slated to pay him $5.8 million next season –€“ close to the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception for teams next season. In essence, the Wolves could have gotten a player that was more productive than Bennett via the mid-level exception while “€œsaving” $464,000.

For the Raptors, picking up Bennett for one-sixth of his original price is a steal. Even if Bennett doesn’t end up being anything more than a body on the bench, the potential reward is worth the gamble. Bennett will be one of the cheapest players on the roster, but has the potential of being the 10th man.

But, a return home doesn’t guarantee anything for Bennett. For starters, Bennett will find himself further down the rotation than he was in Minnesota. The Raptors intend on progressing far in the playoffs, and general manager Masai Ujiri isn’€™€™t afraid of cutting deadweight from the roster. Bennett’s low salary cost also ensures that the Raptors’€™ coaching staff won’t be under any pressure to play Bennett. Usually, players with heftier contracts are expected to be played more, solely to recuperate the ‘€”value”€ of the contract.

The one saving grace for Bennett is that the Raptors don’€™t have an established starter at the power forward position quite yet. Former starter Amir Johnson is now with the Boston Celtics, and the Raptors are left with Patrick Patterson, Luis Scola, and James Johnson as potential candidates. Patterson is the front runner, but he hasn’€™t had much experience as a starter in his NBA career (65 starts in 333 games). Scola isn’€™t a starter anymore, and Johnson’€™s lack of defense is exactly what the now defensive-oriented Raptors are trying to avoid.

If Bennett can bulk up and learn to hold his own against bigger power forwards, the starter’€™s position could be his. Draymond Green is an excellent example of a player that Bennett can emulate, especially since the two share a similar physical build. Even if the Raptors opt for a more traditional power forward, Bennett could have some value coming off the bench.

I have always believed that Bennett could end up becoming a very productive role player in the NBA. With the league shifting towards a smaller lineup, Bennett’€™s inability to defend bigger forwards ends up being less damaging. It was his No. 1 status that haunted him, as he carried the weight of expectation around him. With that pricey contract now gone, perhaps we’€™ll start judging Bennett based on his new contractual value as a league minimum player.

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