Former Toronto Raptors power forward Anthony Bennett. (Photo : Getty Images)
Anthony Bennett and the Brooklyn Nets are reportedly sharing "mutual interest" with one another as the no. 1 pick of the 2013 NBA Draft seeks to revive his fading career that never really got the chance to rise up.
The 23-year-old power forward suited up for his hometown squad Toronto Raptors last season, but he only got to play as a substitute for 19 games, averaging career-worst numbers of 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in only 4.4 minutes of playing time per night and shooting a horrendous 29.6 percent from the field.
He started the 2015-2016 season in the Raptors first team, making his debut against the Boston Celtics in October of last year, but he requested to be sent to Toronto's D-League squad, the Raptors 905, in late December to become the NBA's first top pick to suit up in the Developmental League.
Eventually, he was released by the Raptors in March with the team allegedly questioning his lack of "love and passion" for the game,
This summer, though, ESPN indicated that "despite being considered one of the worst draft busts in recent history, there appears to be mutual interest between Bennett and the Brooklyn Nets" as the team is looking to add more depth behind sophomore forward Chris McCullogh.
The report also mentioned that Bennett went to the Nets veteran camp on July 1 to work out and "get himself into better physical shape".
If an agreement between the two parties push through, Bennett is set to become the third option in head coach Kenny Atkinson's power forward pecking order behind either McCullogh or the newly-acquired Trevor Booker, who are both competing for the Nets' starting number four spot.
Meanwhile, Bleacher Report noted that Bennett is seeking "redemption" in this latest chance at an NBA career for the 6-foot-8, 245-pound Canadian.
The article also said that Bennett "performed well in the Nets' minicamp workout" and is "much slimmer" this offseason, which could only mean good things for the Toronto native.
With Brooklyn, there will be no high expectations for Bennett to "win big" and with virtually untested big men to contend playing time with, except for starting center Brook Lopez, he certainly has another chance to show his true worth and potential not only to the Nets but the whole NBA.
