The Houston Rockets traded guard Michael Carter-Williams and cash to the Chicago Bulls in a salary-cap maneuver, the Rockets announced.
The Bulls then waived Carter-Williams, whose contract would've become guaranteed for the season on Monday afternoon.
Chicago also will send Houston a heavily protected future second-round pick that is unlikely to ever convey, sources said.
The deal saves the Rockets $2.6M in luxury-tax payments, dropping the team's bill from $16.3 million to $13.7 million.
The Bulls will also waive guard MarShon Brooks, who was acquired in a deal with Memphis last week.