The Philadelphia 76ers are easily one of the youngest rosters in the league after trading away most of their veteran pieces in the offseason. The roster continues to get younger as it is only a matter of time before Thaddeus Young gets sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the even younger, Anthony Bennett. With just one veteran voice in the locker room, last season's rookie of the year, Michael Carter-Williams, is ready to step up.
ESPN and Yahoo! Sports is reporting that as part of the Kevin Love trade, Young will be sent to the Timberwolves, giving Philadelphia last season's No. 1 overall draft pick. Bennett is not giving into the media about the trade. Currently in Canada working out for a Team Americas tournament, Bennett would not comment on the Andrew Wiggins/Love trade that had him bouncing around from several teams.
"I'm just a young man that's ready to work," Bennett said, via the Toronto Star. "Wherever I end up, it doesn't really matter to me. I just want to play basketball."
Bennett's rookie season was not one to brag about. He struggled heavily for being a No. 1 overall draft pick, barely making a different for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now he has even higher expectations as he joins a very young roster. Carter-Williams has confidence that the 76ers can still compete despite all of the youth. He joins Bennett and Nerlens Noel who is expected to play this season. While the roster might lack veteran leadership, Carter-Williams knows that they must all step up.
"I think regardless who is on the team, I have to be a leader out there, give direction to the new guys and really bring the team together," Carter-Williams said, via the Intelligencer.
The three-team trade has yet to be finalized. Per NBA rules, a deal cannot officially happen until Wiggins' 30 days are up following the signing of his rookie contract. The No. 1 draft pick has been taking the same approach as Bennett in regards to the trade. He noted that he simply just wants to play basketball on a team that wants to happen. That was thought to be the Cleveland Cavaliers until the ability to get Love presented itself.