Denver Nuggets use amnesty clause on Chris 'Birdman' Andersen

Bid the Birdman goodbye.

In a late-night development, the Denver Nuggets used their amnesty clause to release forward Chris "Birdman" Andersen on Tuesday, according to the Denver Post. The Nuggets faced an 11:59 p.m. deadline to use the amnesty clause.

Andersen, 34, was on Denver's books for $4.5 million in 2012-13 and $4.8 million in 2013-14. The Nuggets will now get to remove his salary from their books for salary cap and luxury tax purposes although Andersen will be paid in full.

Andersen averaged 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 32 games off Denver's bench last season. He was excused from the team after his home was searched by police in relation to an Internet crime case in May. His lawyer later claimed that Andersen was the victim of an extortion attempt.

Andersen will enter a bidding pool comprised of teams that are under the salary cap. If no one claims him, he will be an unrestricted free agent.

Andersen was barred from the NBA from January 2006 to March 2008 for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The Nuggets also moved to sign forward Anthony Randolph on Tuesday.