Bennett on the waiver wire – Thompson coming in for Raptors

Out with the young – in with the old. Did the Raptors get it backwards with their latest roster moves?

While neither transaction is official (the Toronto Raptors website provides news at the pace of a sedated ox), there doesn’t appear much doubt that the team has asked waivers on Anthony Bennett. His place on the roster will be taken by Jason Thompson, who was dumped by the Golden State Warriors in favour of Anderson Varejao.

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We’ll return to Bennett later; for the moment, let’s consider the impact of Jason Thompson’s arrival. He’s listed as a power forward/centre, and at 6’11” and 250 lbs. is certainly hefty enough to play either spot. Jason was selected #12 in 2008 by Sacramento, which is where he’s spent the vast majority of his undistinguished career. Last summer, he was bounced to Philadelphia then GSW. Jason clearly was not a fit on the NBA’s most extreme (and extremely successful) small ball squad, but may be of some value in Toronto.

I and a host of other commentators have been kvetching for months about the woeful contributions (not) being provided by the Raptors’ alleged cadre of power forwards. Whether Jason’s arrival means a revamp of that position is not clear at the moment. At a minimum, he can provide some depth, and he’s playoff-eligible.

Regular readers know I fuss about whether a player has shown the ability (yes, that’s the word) to remain in the lineup. Jason has done that, providing a consistent, though modest, degree of minutes, rebounds and points throughout his 7+ seasons. He’s strictly an inside presence; i.e., he’s the opposite of a stretch-4. He’s most unlikely to have plays called for him on offense. If Jason can provide a fresh shot clock, put back an easy board, and pin down his man when DeMar is driving to the hoop, a few times a night, that’s all we can expect on that side of the floor. Defensively, he should be more coach Dwane Casey’s style. Jason will bang with anyone, and change (though not block) several shots a night.

He’s a veteran big man who’s cheap insurance for our regulars. While he’s not the one I wanted, he’s the one who was available, and sadly he’s more useful than the man he’s replacing.

Anthony Bennett came home with high hopes, but he appears to be leaving with them dashed. I don’t know there’s much more the club could have done for him. I was pessimistic about his future when I noted he wasn’t dominating in the D-League. That concern was magnified when I watched him up close in Mississauga. If he’s ever going to have a meaningful NBA career, he needs to make up his mind what he’s going to specialize in.

Here’s some free advice, Anthony: your body type is “banger”, but you’ve never seemed comfortable in that role. Go emulate Patrick Patterson. A stretch-4 who can defend the perimeter (which you can’t right now – ask Kyle Lowry about his diet) should be able to stake a claim somewhere.

We wish him Good Luck.

OK, Rapture Nation, what do you think? Did Masai Ujiri and the brains trust give up too quickly on Bennett? Is the signing of Thompson of any use at all? Comments please.