Photo credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Photo credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

So the Sixers could end up with another lottery pick on their roster, if the rumors that they could land Anthony Bennett as part of a three-way deal with the Cavs and Timberwolves are true.

Brian Windhorst, on ESPN Radio, speculated that the Sixers could be involved in the reported deal that would send Andrew Wiggins to Minnesota and Kevin Love to Cleveland. The Sixers would at least partly be used to take on an unwanted contract or two [transcription via Liberty Ballers]:

“But before the papers have been signed, there’s this handshake agreement that: Kevin Love to the Cavs, Andrew Wiggins to the Timberwolves, and I believe Thaddeus Young will end up in Minnesota, either as part of a separate deal or as part of a three-way deal, possibly Anthony Bennett who’s on the Cavs right now could get re-routed to Philadelphia in part of a deal for Thaddeus Young. There will be draft picks involved, but essentially what you need to know if you’re an NBA fan: Kevin Love will end up in Cleveland barring anything unforeseen, and Andrew Wiggins will end up in Minnesota.”

So if you’re keeping score at home, that would be Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, Anthony Bennett, and Dario Saric (whenever he comes to America). That’s five lottery picks from the last two drafts on one roster, and there will probably be more next year if the Sixers successfully slay the the Silver machine.

Bennett had a terrible rookie season. In fact, it was historically bad for a top pick. Derek Bodner explains:

Then came his rookie season. Again, a glass-half-full type would call it a struggle. A glass-half-empty type would call it possibly the worst rookie season for a #1 overall pick in 30+ years.

Last year for the Cavs, Bennett 4.2 points per in just over 12.8 minutes per game, shooting 35.6% from the field. He generate -0.4 win shares on the season (-0.028/48), including -1.1 offensive win shares, with a true shooting percentage of 42.5% and a PER of 6.9.

No #1 overall pick has done worse in ANY of win shares, offensive win shares, PER, or true shooting percentage.

Windhorst was just on 97.5 The Fanatic and reiterated that the deal between the Cavs and Wolves is basically done and they’re just waiting for Wiggins’ 30-day no-trade clause to end. The Sixers part, however, is less certain, because Windhorst notes that NBA is threatening to shut down the deal if leaks keep coming out. He says J.J. Barea could also come to Philadelphia as part of the deal.

Other notes from Windhorst on 97.5: He says NBA owners are not happy with what the Sixers are doing, because, as one of the biggest markets, Philly isn’t generating the sort of revenue it should to contribute to the league’s rev sharing.

He also mentioned pretty much exactly what I said a couple of months ago— that we’re years away from being good, because once all the players get healthy, you’re still a couple of years away from competing.

On Bennett’s first year: “It was one of the worst for a first pick in NBA history.” But he noted Bennett being overweight due to a shoulder surgery, having asthma and sleep apnea. He’s thinner now and had surgery to help with the latter two problems.