Author Topic: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?  (Read 18270 times)

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Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« on: May 30, 2015, 04:03:47 AM »

Offline LarBrd33

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Ok I'll give you some time to stop laughing...

Done yet?.. No?... Ok...  Let it out man.  It's been a rough week, you earned this...

... Still laughing?  Har har har.  Yeah... Brb, gonna hit the bathroom...

Ok back.  We ready to talk about this?  Here's a digital tissue for your giggle tears.



I get it.  He's a bust.  He certainly hasn't played well.  They clearly saw something in him when he was taken 1st.   A big guy who could move and shoot.  He was thought to have a high ceiling.  There was an understanding that he was a high risk/high reward type of guy. 

Rookie season, it didn't work out.  He injured his shoulder and came into camp out of shape.  He was at least 21 pounds overweight at 261 pounds:



In addition to the weight issues, he reportedly was dealing with sleep apnea, asthma, and poor eyesight.   HIs numbers were historically bad.  People ripped him apart.

As the season progressed, he actually shed some of the weight and showed some flashes of his potential.  15 point, 8 rebound performance on Jan 28th, a 14 point 8 rebound performance on Feb 5th... all with limited minutes.  It was enough for ESPN's David Thorpe to sing his praises on TrueHoop TV and urge patience:  http://www.fearthesword.com/2014/2/7/5390556/nba-news-espns-david-thorpe-urges-patience-with-anthony-bennett

Less than a week later he put up this 19 point, 10 rebound performance against the Kings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaHbylkacyc

Despite the flashes, he saw sporadic minutes and sprained his knee in March which caused him to miss most of the final month.

During the offseason, he found himself traded along with Wiggins in an unprecedented trade for Kevin Love.   He spent the offseason addressing many of his issues:

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The 21-year-old Toronto native, who was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the summer blockbuster headlined by All-Star power forward Kevin Love and 2014 No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins, underwent a number of changes in the offseason following a dismal rookie campaign short-circuited by injury, fitness issues, ice-cold shooting and "biggest bust ever" talk. He adopted a strict diet and went through weeks of brutal "chameleon training" to drop some of the weight that he struggled to carry around on the court. He had surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids, a procedure aimed at helping him breathe easier on the court and get more re****l, restorative sleep.

Bennett also had LASIK surgery to correct his eyesight ? you might remember seeing him in goggles during the Wolves' preseason slate, wearing them to protect his recovering peepers ? following in the footsteps of players like Rudy Gay in pursuit of clearer vision on the court. To hear Bennett tell it to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the vision problems were worse than any of us might have realized:

    Bennett has never worn contacts. Can't put them in his eyes. How bad was his vision before?

    "You see that white board?" Bennett said recently, pointing to a board no more than 10 feet away. "Last year, I couldn't read the writing on it."

    And during games?

    "Anything far, I couldn't really see," Bennett said. "I couldn't see the people in the stands. Now I can see the scoreboard. I can see what plays coach wants to run."

    "Last year I felt like I was always playing catch-up," Bennett said. "This year, it feels a lot different."

It was reason for optimism. 

His summer league was fairly productive... sharing a team with Andrew Wiggins, he averaged 13 points and 7.8 rebounds while Wiggins put up 15.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in equal minutes.  He looked fluid.  He was noticeably thinner, was explosive, could move and his shooting stroke was impressive.   

His pre-season was equally productive.  In a mere 18.6 minutes per game, he avearged 10 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals... compared to Andrew Wiggins who played 28 minutes and averaged 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals.

You'd think that the Wolves would have given Bennett a fair shake at developing on a rebuilding team, right?   Clearly this was a team that could afford to feed big minutes to developing players, right?  Not exactly.  Initially, Flip Saunders seemed to have delusions of "retooling" instead of full "rebuilding".  He gave up a 1st rounder to acquire a starting PF in Thad Young (only to later shift-gears and dump Thad Young for Kevin Garnett... more or less wasting a 1st rounder)

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Young's short tenure really reveals Saunders' muddled thoughts about his team. Last summer, he moved a first-round pick to add Young as a downgrade replacement for Kevin Love, even though his squad was bound to enter an extended rebuilding cycle, even though that extra pick could have been very helpful, and even though Saunders had acquired a young frontcourt prospect in Anthony Bennett during the Love deal. That deal raised eyebrows at the time and it looked worse and worse as Minnesota plunged down the standings.

So you had Thad Young there getting 33mpg... instead of having an opportunity to play through his mistakes and gain some kind of rhythm, Bennett was relegated to 16mpg off the bench and never really found a role.

There were a few games where Bennett got above-average minutes and didn't look that bad:

11/15 - 29 minutes, 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists.   
11/21 - 32 minutes, 20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals.     
11/22 - 30 minutes, 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, 1 steal
12/6 - 27 minutes, 14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal.   
1/7 - 22 minutes, 14 points, 10 rebounds 1 assist.

But mostly he had spot minutes off the bench. 

That said, after Thad Young was traded, it appeared the Wolves were finally going to give Anthony Bennett his big opportunity.  On Feb 20th, the first game after the Thad Young trade, Bennett got the start.   He played a total of 9 minutes, hurt his leg.   Brutal.   He essentially missed the rest of the season.   Adriene Payne ended up getting the big opportunity instead, putting up 26mpg in 22 pretty disastrous starts.   Bennett didn't really return until the final game, when he clearly outplayed Payne off the bench by putting up 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists in 22 minutes.

Another disappointing season from "the biggest bust ever".

Fwiw, here are his highlights for the season.   It's clear that the kid still has tools that could translate into a starter-caliber big man in this league: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd9YOFoN8Ys

Whether or not he puts those tools together is still unknown.  I don't think it's fair to completely write  him off yet.

Like most young players, Bennett has been working hard this offseason.

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On the bright side, Bennett has started working with trainer Drew Hanlen, who had previously trained Wiggins and Zach LaVine. Bennett seems motivated to find his game and at least make himself a serviceable power forward in the near future for the Timberwolves.
Hanlen tweeted a link to an Instagram video yesterday showing some highlights from his workouts with Bennett. They are reportedly working on some shot mechanics, footwork, and added post moves.

From the trainer:

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Started working with 2013 #1 pick @ab3nnett two weeks ago & he's already lost 12lbs, improved his shooting mechanics & added a ton of mid-post moves. I know a lot of y'all have given up on him, but trust me, he's working his butt off & will make a big statement next season!

Brief video:  https://instagram.com/p/3CoGP6lNo0/


Which brings me to my question...

Isn't Anthony Bennett the epitome of "buy low" type of players that Danny Ainge has never been shy about targeting?   Ainge's history is littered with these types of players.  Some didn't work out (Luke Jackson, Robert Swift, Sebastian Telfair and Patrick O'Bryant are some who immediately come to mind) ... Some were able to be reformed and flipped (Ricky Davis and Jordan Crawford come to mind)... both Tyler Ennis and Evan Turner seem to fit that "buy low" mold.  But Ainge has never been afraid to bring in talent for cheap.

Wouldn't #16 for Anthony Bennett seem like a kind of deal that would make sense?  Now, I know instinctively we're supposed to think that whoever we'll end up at #16 would have vastly more potential than Anthony Bennett, but I mean... really?  On average, isn't it usually pretty weak?     

http://www.celticsblog.com/2015/5/23/8648071/a-look-at-the-last-20-years-of-nba-draft-picks-15-20

Quote

    16TH OVERALL PICK

    Accumulative Stats (Last 20 #16 Overall Picks): 9.0 PPG - 3.6 RPG - 2.1 APG

    All-Stars: 1 - Ron Artest (1)


Quote
Similar to number 15, the 16th pick in the draft has birthed just one All-Star over the last 20 years. However, the 16th spot has not proven to be quite as deep with impact players over the course of that time frame, as the talent pool is headlined by a short list of quality rotation players but stands relatively mediocre overall.

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Alan Henderson, Brevin Knight, Marreese Speights, Nick Young and former Celtic Tony Delk highlight the ballplayers that have done well with extended minutes, and last year's number 16 pick Jusuf Nurkic looks promising as well. Outside of that, we're talking about end-of-the-bench forwards Luke Babbitt and James Johnson to go along with a good-sized list of busts like Rodney Carney, Bryce Drew, Kirk Haston, Kirk Snyder, Royce White and former Boston College standout Troy Bell.

So the chance is, you're getting some bum with that pick.  I mean, who are we taking at #16?... Frank Kaminsky or something? (12th in Draftexpress's mock draft).   Frank Kaminsky and Anthony Bennett are a month apart in age.  Are you seriously more confident in the ceiling of someone like Kaminsky over Anthony Bennett? 

So I'll ask it again.  Would you trade #16 for Tony Bennett?


« Last Edit: May 30, 2015, 04:16:10 AM by LarBrd33 »

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2015, 07:27:12 AM »

Offline Granath

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No

/thread
Jaylen Brown will be an All Star in the next 5 years.

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2015, 07:37:09 AM »

Offline jambr380

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I definitely do it and TP for your efforts. You sometimes get a reputation for being a Negative Nancy, but these are the types of insightful, light-hearted posts that reflect well on the Celticsblog community, as a whole.

You provide plenty of reasons why a deal for Bennett would be a no-brainier. My main concern, really, is his contract. Since he is a #1 pick, he is due considerably more than your average rookie contract player. He sounds like he is doing everything in his power to be a successful NBA player...and as a top pick, the potential should really still be there.


Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2015, 07:38:25 AM »

Offline e4sym0de

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How long did it took you to write this post?

I guess I would not do it because I prefer to have a Rookie for 4years making 2mil per compared to Bennet making 13mil over the next two years

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2015, 07:49:34 AM »

Offline tazzmaniac

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NO!!!!  Bennett has played in 109 games at 14.3mpg over two seasons so he's had ample opportunity to prove himself.  Bennett looks like a poor man's Sully and he is only 1 year younger than Sully.  There are a number of other players (Oubre, Lyles, Looney, Booker ...) that I'd like to take at 16.  Heck I'd even take Upshaw at 16 before trading the 16 for Bennett. 

Whoever we take at 16 in this draft is going to be cheap (guaranteed 2 years at less than $2mill per) compared to Bennett (5.8 mil for next season).  I believe we'd also have to decide by October whether to pick up his 4th year option at 7.3mil and his 5th year qualifying offer would be 9.5mil.  I doubt Minn picks up his 4th year option so we could pick him up cheap as a reclamation project the following season. 

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2015, 07:57:40 AM »

Offline slamtheking

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wouldn't do it for 16.  16 looks to be as good or better than Bennett will be (speaks volumes to how unimpressive he's been so far) and much, much cheaper.  considering Upshaw and Dakari figure to be available at 28 and 33, I probably wouldn't trade those picks for Bennett either

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2015, 08:00:50 AM »

Offline GC003332

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TP for your post.

Are the Celtics keeping Sullinger and Olynyk and adding Bennett in this proposal?
If so not enough playing time to develop all 3 along with Zeller.
Strange that his eyesight didn't hamper him becoming the number 1 pick?
If it was an issue when he was drafted you would think that these professional organisations would have tried to correct it earlier.
« Last Edit: May 30, 2015, 08:16:21 AM by GC003332 »

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2015, 08:02:04 AM »

Offline JBcat

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Very nice write up.  I think I would pull the trigger as long as his contract doesn't interfere of having a chance at the bigger fish.  He's locked in the 6 to 7 mil range the next few years.  Not too bad especially with the cap rising next year.

Flip wants to win sooner rather than later so maybe we add in a sign and trade of Bass who can fill in as a veteran starter among the young kids.

If we kept KO and Sully and made no big moves involving them KO would have to play center with Sully and Bennet at PF.

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2015, 08:18:25 AM »

Offline LGC88

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Another TP from me. Great article. It gave me a nice update from a player I lost my focus on.
Trading Bennett for #16 will be a lateral move potential wise. But paying him 5.8M next season, 7.3 & 9.5M the following ones is a bit too much comparing to the #16 (1.4M next season).

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2015, 08:26:13 AM »

Offline MBunge

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This would be a very good idea except...

1.  Boston already has a player (Sully) who plays the same position and is better.

2.  There looks to be players available at #16 who are just as promising or more than what Bennett has shown so far.

3.  #16 could be used to move up in the draft.

You make a good argument, though, that some team with a pick in the mid 20s should take a chance and trade for him.

Mike

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2015, 08:30:42 AM »

Offline sofutomygaha

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I'm not sure yet if I'm taking the bait, but you've definitely got me considering it. This is the best kind of forum post, and I enjoyed it more than 99.9% of the crap blog posts I can't seem to stop reading under headlines like "Ainge considering to consider whether or not to do anything right now."

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #11 on: May 30, 2015, 08:55:18 AM »

Offline BudweiserCeltic

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I like Bennett, I'd pull the trigger. Or try for another package, maybe using Olynyk. Minnesota loves their white guys.

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #12 on: May 30, 2015, 09:03:37 AM »

Offline boscel33

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I might do this, but instead of the 16th pick, maybe try a player (Sully or KO) and Clippers pick.
"There's sharks and minnows in this world. If you don't know which you are, you ain't a shark."

Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2015, 09:43:45 AM »

Offline max215

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I don't know. I mean it makes sense if you think about it: trade #16 for a guy who's just two years removed from being #1 overall. But Bennett has been so bad, historically bad. The way I see it, each draft usually has 1 or 2 guys in the mid to late teens who wind up being studs, so I'd rather take a 1 in 10 chance at a Giannis or Kawhi type with picks 11-20, than a guy who looks to be the worst bust in NBA history. Look, I hope someone gives Bennett a chance; two years is just too little time to give up on someone with so much potential, but I'm not sure if I want that team to be the Celtics.
Isaiah, you were lightning in a bottle.

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Re: Would you trade #16 for Anthony Bennett?
« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2015, 09:44:01 AM »

Offline Who

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I'd like to take a chance on Anthony Bennett but there are a couple of players available at #16 that I like more than him so no I wouldn't do this specific trade.