Pacers waive Bender, get salary cap relief

[ducks]

Pacers waive Bender, get salary cap relief
By Mike Wells
[email protected]
June 15, 2006

The Indiana Pacers officially severed ties to Jonathan Bender by waiving the oft-injured forward Wednesday.
Bender announced in February that he couldn't continue playing because of constant knee injuries.
Bender, the fifth overall pick in the 1999 draft, took a physical to prove his injuries were career-ending. A Pacers insurance policy will cover the $7.7 million he is due next season.
Bender's salary no longer will count against the Pacers' salary cap or luxury tax.
Injuries prevented Bender from realizing his potential. Bender was headed for another injury-plagued year last season when it was determined early on that he couldn't play in back-to-back games. He quit traveling with the team in late November. Bender played in only 76 games the past three seasons.
Bender had his best season in 2001-02 when he averaged 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds.http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart

[Slomo]

[Solid D]

Damaged goods.