That's all very well, but the more likely reading of this is that Leeds just don't rate him now, and have to pay some of his contract because he'd be on more than the Bulls could pay. They are still able to hedge their bets in case he comes good, but he's played over 40 games and this is his 4th season. You'd think he'd be showing enough to be kept in the top 25 if they really thought he was going to make it.
Like I say the weirdest thing is the reasoning behind gibing him a 3 year deal, then not playing him, and now sending him off for a year at least - who made the calls and what's changed?