Demon1 and nrg

Why would the bench demon1 and not just release him? Is it because they don’t want to pay his buyout? I’m not sure how contracts work and stuff, but wouldn’t it just be smarter for both parties to just part ways?

My guess - Demon1 wants to increase his streaming audience and come back to compete fresh next year. NRG can still help him to achieve that

NRG wants to keep him for a team to buy him out.