Timberwolves make Anthony Bennett available in trade

ByMARC STEIN
June 22, 2015, 2:30 PM

— -- The Minnesota Timberwolves have made former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett available via trade in advance of Thursday's NBA draft, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN that the Timberwolves, who are widely expected to make Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns the No. 1 overall selection Thursday night, are trying to find a new home via trade from Bennett, who unexpectedly went No. 1 overall in 2013 and was acquired by Minnesota last summer from Cleveland in the Kevin Love trade.

The Cavaliers sent Andrew Wiggins and Bennett to Minnesota for Love while also surrendering a future first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, which landed then-Sixer Thaddeus Young with the Wolves as well.

In February, Minnesota swapped Young for Kevin Garnett to bring home the most famous player in franchise history.

A shoulder injury coming out of Nevada-Las Vegas and other ailments plagued Bennett throughout his rookie season in Cleveland, but he made minimal progress after moving to the Wolves, who were hopeful that the change of scenery would spark a change in fortunes for the 6-foot-8, 245-pounder.