OT Minnesota progressing on contract buyout with former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett.

As far as position, Bennett appears to have a SFs offensive game that can also crash the boards for rebounds and put-backs. On defense he either is clueless, or, just does not care, or both.

 

VERY good question.

The article ^ shares a major concern that a lot of us have, "the trick would be in finding playing time for him at power forward, where Portland has Meyers Leonard and Noah Vonleh;" so whose time/development does he take away from (most likely that would be Vonleh & even IF Bennett has promise, I'm COMPLETELY against destroying Vonleh's development & I really don't feel Neil would bring in Bennett & then trade Vonleh; I would lose all faith in Neil IF he did this. Also, what of Ed & Mason in all this?)? Because as stated ^ by

that will be north of 16 minutes a game (based on his 15.7 minutes last yr... that means he wants > this!).

 

I believe Alexander is an inch taller (still a bit short at 6'8" for PF) and has a 2.5" wingspan advantage.

 

If Bennett want playing time...Shanghai Sharks will sign him

 

Remember Vanterpool was an assistant with Canada this summer. Having him and Triano around him might light a fire under his ass!


Sent from my Baller-Ass 5.5" iPhone 6+......... FAMS

 

What if Olshey has picked up some of these guys with the idea that they aren't necessarily long-term Blazers, but instead are assets to use in trades. Perhaps he always saw one or more of Vonleh/Plumlee/Davis as a future trade chip to get better at a position of need. In that scenario it might make sense to acquire Bennett. What's currently a crowded front-court could quickly be a more modest front-court with a single trade.

 

It fits the mold of getting top picks from a couple years ago...I just don't want him taking minutes from Leonard, Plumlee, Davis, Vonleh or even Kaman..

 

I like Bennet, I think he could be a solid player but I don't like him better than at least 5 of the big men we already have. I don't think we need him

 

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i..._interest_in_signing_former.html#incart_river

 

Vonleh > Bennett

I like the idea of low risk / high reward, but right now we are jam packed with young, talented bigs who need minutes. I guess if Neil is sold on him, we could move someone.

 

Like I said in this thread before, the most likely to go IF he came in would b Kaman (possibly Alexander bc we would have so many PFs now) BUT bc we are bringing in some1... that means instead of losing two guys we now have to lose three (presumably: Kaman, Miller, Frazier; I don't mind losing the later 2 BUT I don't want to have to lose Kaman or Alexander bc of Bennett).

 

I hope Neil & the FO are following the board these days & seeing how the majority of us don't want Bennett. WE are warning him.

 

But moving Kaman doesn't really fix the problem. Where do the minutes come from for this young guy? Leonard, Vonleh, Davis, Plumlee, and maybe even Aminu if he's better suited as a stretch four. Those guys are all young. They're all talented. Bennett seems like a tweener who is too slow to be a small forward and too small to be a power forward.

 

EXACTLY. All good points that I agree w/. Moving Kaman doesn't fix the problem, I was just saying it is still a very real possibility he could get bumped though bc of Bennett.

We need to start an anit-Bennett campaign w/ our slogan being, "N.O. say no (to bringing in Bennett ooooof course)!"

 

I am happy just to have a basketball related rumor to discuss for a change.

 

I wouldn't say "happy" but this is a subject that ppl have some emotion behind

 

Hmmm... although.... maybe the plan is to put together a package of young guys to send Golden State for Barnes, or maybe Boogie. It seems like Neil is in talent acquisition mode, and eventually we will cash in those chips for something bigger.

 

So the "buyout" only goes into effect if nobody claims him at his full salary right? Let him clear waivers and then make a one year offer with a team option 2nd year if you think it's worth it, no need to claim his bloated #1 pick salary.