One of the most complicated parts of the NBA for fans is the ins and outs of team building during the offseason. There are complex rules about what a team can and can’t do with certain players, how much a team can offer a free agent, what happens when a team goes into the luxury tax and much more.
I write a lot about the particulars of these rules, but one of the common requests I’ve received at BSJ is to simplify an explanation of these tricky CBA rules and terms and how they apply to the Celtics. Over the upcoming month, we will take a weekly look at some of the common phrases and rules I used that are involved in the collective bargaining agreement and try to make them easier to understand so it’s easier to break down the options the Celtics or another team has with their players in any offseason. Here's what we've examined thus far:
Understanding trade rules and restrictions: What Celtics can and can't do this season
Understanding Cap Holds: What they mean and how they impact the Celtics' future
Understanding Bird Rights: What they mean and how they impact the Celtics' future
We begin today with another term that will be front and center for the Celtics next offseason: Restricted free agency. We will get into the basics of the term on the NBA and examine what options the Celtics will have with Jaylen Brown who is expected to hit the restricted free agent market next summer.
What is restricted free agency?
This is the same type of system that takes place in football and hockey. Essentially, it gives the player’s original team the right to keep someone by matching any deal that is signed by them with another team.
Who is eligible to be a restricted free agent?
First-round draft picks are the most common restricted free agents. Following the fourth year of their rookie-scale contracts, they become restricted free agents upon hitting the open market for the first time. Any second-round pick or undrafted free agent who has been in the league three or fewer seasons are also restricted free agents when their contracts expire, as well as players that sign two-way deals.
Do these players automatically become restricted free agents when their initial contracts expire?
No. In order to become restricted, a team must extend a qualifying offer before the start of free agency (June 29). A qualifying offer is essentially a one-year contract that a player can sign at any point. The amount of the qualifying offer is dependent on a player’s salary or draft slot (if they are a first-round pick). If a player does not receive a qualifying offer, it’s an indication that a team does not want to bring that player back or is looking to open up cap room (so it does not want the qualifying offer counting against the salary cap).
Does any restricted free agent ever sign a qualifying offer instead?
It rarely happens but it can if a player does not want to sign a long-term deal with their current team. Greg Monroe is probably one of the biggest name players to go this route back in 2015 with the Pistons. Others who have done it more recently include Nerlens Noel with the Mavericks. It’s a big risk for young players to make what’s usually short money on a one-year deal in order to get to unrestricted free agency sooner. Most of these guys are simply looking for their first big contract and opt for the security of a long-term deal instead.
What kind of contracts can a restricted free agent sign?
It must be at least two years (including no options) with any team if it's not a qualifying offer. If signing with one's original team, the contract can last up to five years, otherwise just four years with any other team.
How long does the original team have to match an offer if a player signs a deal with another team?
Two days.
Any other important rules?
There are some restrictions involved if a team matches an offer sheet. If they do, they can’t trade a player without his consent for a season. They also can’t trade a player back to the team that made the offer on him for a full year.
What players could be restricted free agents for the Celtics after this upcoming season?
Jaylen Brown is the most important name to keep in mind as his rookie-scale deal comes to a close. He’s likely to pass the threshold (40 starts or 2,000 minutes) for a maximum qualifying offer, which would inflate the total of his qualifying offer to $8.5 million.
Brad Wanamaker could also be a restricted free agent if the Celtics extend him a qualifying offer since it will just be his second season. Tacko Fall or Javonte Green will be restricted free agents as well if either makes the team and are given qualifying offers.
Can the Celtics sign Jaylen Brown before he becomes a restricted free agent?
They can negotiate with him up to opening night (Oct. 22) to try to reach a long-term deal. Otherwise, they won’t be able to agree a new deal with him until the season ends. So far, there have been just three players of the upcoming restricted free agent class that have agreed to extensions this summer (Ben Simmons, Jamal Murray, Caris LaVert).