Report: 76ers Involved In Current Love-Wiggins Trade, Could Receive Anthony Bennett

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports on ESPN Radio in New York that the Sixers are believed to be included in the currently agreed-upon but unofficial Kevin Love trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Thaddeus Young joining Andrew Wiggins in going to Minnesota. The interesting part is the return. Here's a partial transcript:

"The deal is done, but not done. The teams have agreed but they can't say they have agreed and they can't agree because they're in this weird moratorium period because you can't trade Andrew Wiggins until the 23rd of this month. So between now and then which is, what, 19 days? Could some event happen? Could a team come in with a trade that maybe they necessary doesn't see? Yes that could happen. Therefore it's not done.

So the deal is done as is, but it could change because of a moratorium period when someone comes in with a better offer? Sounds familiar. Keep reading for trade details:

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."

This is the important part - a likely return in a Thaddeus Young deal involves receiving Anthony Bennett. Prior reports had the Sixers receiving contracts like Kevin Martin and Dion Waiters, as well as draft picks. The language Windhorst used appears intentionally vague as it comes to the Sixers role, as his beat on the Sixers can't match the connections he's made in Cleveland as a beat reporter there over the years.

Also note that, per my re-listening, he didn't specify that the Sixers were getting a pick, just that there are draft picks involved. Tweets have indicated Bennett + pick is the return, but that is not clear from the audio.

Bennett struggled mightily in his first NBA season due to injuries, asthma, and weight issues, but he looked slim and ready to play in summer league. While not necessarily a coup, if the Sixers can also get a draft pick, the team gets a flyer on a player thought to be a high-ceiling talent coming into the league.

We'll have more on this trade scenario and others tomorrow afternoon.