Anthony

Bennett

This was reported a week ago when it was announced Bennett was going to need surgery. Knee scopes may not require more than a couple months off, but even that obstacle is too much for a guy who had only an outside chance to make the roster.

Unfortunately, the surgery will keep him from earning a roster spot with the Rockets. Bennett had been playing better in his post-NBA life, so it would’ve been fun to see how he fared in the preseason.

Bennett is hoping to have a successful camp in order to make the team, but things did not get off to a good start. He had a monster season in the G-League last year, knocking down 45-percent of his threes. Bennett is a long-shot to have any fantasy value.

That’s a name we haven’t heard in a long time. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the terms of the deal are still being discussed, but it’s likely just a training camp invite to get a look at the former No. 1 pick. Bennett appeared in 25 games in the G League last season, averaging 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.1 triples.

Bennett is a possibility for the Wizards’ No. 3 pick if Otto Porter isn’t available, and he fits the team-need John Wall described in May, for a "[power forward] who can pick and pop.” His rotator cuff surgery will keep him out of Summer League but he’s expected to be healthy in time for training camp.

Bennett won’t be healthy enough to participate in a summer league, but it’s a good sign that he’ll be healthy in time for training camp. Bennett is a possible top-five selection and could go as high as No. 3 to the Wizards. Bennett averaged 16.1 points on 53.3 percent shooting while playing just 27 minutes per game as a freshman.

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering the procedure was performed on Wednesday. Despite the injury, Bennett is still a likely top-five selection in June’s draft. The 19-year old averaged 16.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and hit 1.0 3-pointers per game as a freshman this year.

It’s widely assumed that the Wiz will go for local product Otto Porter if he’s there at No. 3. But don’t sleep on Bennett, a prospect with significantly more offensive upside. As a freshman, he lit up the underrated Mountain West Conference for 16.1 points per game on 53.3 percent shooting -- and did it in just 27.1 minutes a night. Bennett is an excellent shooter and ball handler for someone listed at 6'8/240.

Bennett has never been in the mix to go with the top overall spot, so the Cavs are just doing their due diligence and keeping their real plans clandestine as usual. We do not believe Bennett has a legitimate chance to hear his name called before any other on draft night.

The 6'8/240 Bennett has been knocked for being too small to play power forward in the NBA. It was a different era, but Johnson was 6'6/250 and was a two-time All-Star at the position. Bennett is certainly more athletically gifted than Grandmama and arguably has a better mid-range jumper already. We’re a little surprised that he’s not getting more chatter as the No. 1 overall prospect in the draft.