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NBA Free Agency: What is an Unrestricted Free Agent?

By Charles Rahrig V

Apr 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and center Dwight Howard (12) between plays during the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and center Dwight Howard (12) between plays during the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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What is an unrestricted free agent and how can a team sign them in the NBA?

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One of the biggest days of the year for the NBA is just a couple of days away, as free agency is set to begin on July 1. While free agency has many rules involved on how teams can spend their money and what type of contracts certain players can receive, there are several players that are going to cash in this year and find a new home.

The salary cap is set at $94 million and that means some teams are going to have an excess amount of money to spend. The most common type of player to sign in free agency is what is known as an unrestricted free agent.

These are players that are free to sign wherever they please and don’t have any restrictions on them. Typically, these are players that have played out their contracts, have more than four years of service time or opted out of their deal or had their option declined.

Not all of these have to apply for a player to be an unrestricted free agent, but the main thing is that they can’t be under contract to become one.

For more NBA Free Agency coverage, be sure to visit our hub page.

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