Bulls release Andrew Bynum following trade with Cavaliers

Andrew Bynum has been released by the Bulls. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Sport) The Bulls announced Tuesday the release of Andrew Bynum, who was acquired in a

Andrew Bynum has been released by the Bulls. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Sport)

The Bulls announced Tuesday the release of Andrew Bynum, who was acquired in a trade with the Cavaliers involving Luol Deng.

Bynum, 26, averaged 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 20 minutes per game over 24 appearances for Cleveland this season. He signed a two-year, $24.8 million contract with the Cavaliers in July, but his $12.6 million 2014-15 salary was non-guaranteed and his $12.3 million salary for 2013-14 was only partially guaranteed.

By waiving Bynum this week, Chicago avoids paying him $6.3 million, the remaining non-guaranteed portion of his contract, and moves below the luxury-tax line. Deng was on the books for $14.3 million this season, the final year of his current contract.

“The moves made today will put us in a better position to make the entire roster stronger for the future and to compete for a championship,” Bulls GM Gar Forman said in a statement announcing the trade.

GRADES: Cavaliers trade Andrew Bynum to Bulls for Luol Deng

Bulls executive John Paxson said that the trade will save the Bulls more than $20 million, according to the Chicago Tribune, in addition to netting multiple draft picks.

Bynum, a 2012 All-Star, will become an unrestricted free agent later this week. Recent reports indicated that the Heat and Clippers are interested in potentially signing him, even though his career has been derailed by injuries. Back in November, Bynum told reporters that he had given “serious thought” to retirement because of his ongoing knee issues, which he called “career-threatening” and which already cost him his entire 2012-13 season with Philadelphia.

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