Skip to main content

NBA.com, Official site of the National Basketball Association

Main content
NBA news

Free Agency Explained


Posted May 7, 2013 11:53 AM

<< Back to Free Agent Tracker

Free Agent Tracker Key:

Free agency for the 2013-14 season begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 1, 2013.

UFA Unrestricted free agent

RFA Restricted free agent

* Player option

** Team option

*** Early termination option

Free Agency Terminology

Unrestricted free agent
An unrestricted free agent (UFA) 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.

Team Option
A team option grants the original team the right to keep a player for another year.

Player Option
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.)

Early Termination Option
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."

<< Back to Free Agent Tracker

SEARCH NEWS
LATEST VIDEOS
photoTop Showdowns: Durant vs. LeBron
Kevin Durant scores 40 points, but LeBron James' 39 points help lift the Heat over the Thunder in OKC.
photoTop Showdowns: Durant vs. Paul
Kevin Durant scores 35 points in his showdown versus Chris Paul who scores 26 points and eight assist in the Thunder victory over the Clippers.
photoTop Showdowns: Durant vs. Smith
Kevin Durant and J.R. Smith battle it out in Madison Square Garden and the Thunder edge out the one point win over the Knicks.
photoTop Showdowns: Durant vs. Aldridge
Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge score 33 points apiece, but the Thunder come out on top of the Trail Blazers by four.
photoTop Showdowns: Durant vs. Irving
Kyrie Irving proved to be unstoppable scoring 35 points in a fourth quarter explosion for the Cavs in the win against Kevin Durant and the Thunder.