A free agency primer
Posted Jun 29 2009 2:35PM
UFA Unrestricted free agent
RFA Restricted free agent
* Player option
** Team option
*** Early termination option
Unrestricted free agent
An unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any team, though some unrestricted free agents have options on their existing contracts that, if exercised, may impact their choices.
•A team option grants the original team the right to keep a player for another year.
•A player option grants the player the power to decide whether to stay for another year or become a completely unrestricted free agent.
(In either case, if the option is refused, the player is completely unrestricted, free to sign with any team.)
•An early termination option gives the player the right to end a signed contract. The option cannot be exercised before the end of the fourth year of an existing contract. If the player declines to exercise the option, he remains with the original team. If the option is exercised, he is free to sign with any team.
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent can sign an offer sheet with any team, but the player's original team can retain him by matching the terms of that offer. The original team is said to have the "right of first refusal."
- 2010 All-Star Ballot
- 2009-10 Season Preview
- Free Agent Tracker
- 2009 Playoffs
- 2009 NBA Draft
- twitter.com / NBA
- NBA on Facebook
- Transactions
- 2009 Awards
- Officiating & Rules
- 2009 All-Star
- Coach bios
- Hoopedia
 | Arena Link: Carmelo Anthony The Nuggets forward talks about a win over the Bulls and brings a special guest on with him. |
 | Saturday's Top 10 Ten of the best plays from Saturday's NBA action are right here. |
 | The Daily Zap We're gonna take you on a quick ride around the league on Saturday in the Daily Zap. |
 | Nightly Notable Darren Collison has 22 points and 11 assists in a big win over the Atlanta Hawks. |
 | Timberwolves vs. Blazers Martel Webster scores 21 points and grabs 13 rebounds as the Blazers defeat the Timberwolves. |
 | Pick n' Roll Greg Oden sets the pick and Brandon Roy rolls down the baseline for the slam. |
 | Pistons vs. Jazz Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko each score 22 points as the Jazz defeat the Pistons in overtime. |
 | Bulls vs. Nuggets Carmello Anthony scores 30 points and grabs 11 rebounds as the Nuggets defeat the Bulls. |
 | Arena Link: Tony Parker Tony Parker joins the NBA TV crew after a blowout victory in San Antonio. |
 | Hawks vs. Hornets Darren Collison had 22 points and 11 assists as the Hornets snap the Hawks seven-game win streak. |
NBA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network