As an NBA fan, you may have heard the phrase “rookie free agent contract” thrown around. But what exactly does this term mean and how does it affect the future of a young player`s career?
Firstly, let`s define what a rookie free agent is. In the NBA, a player becomes a rookie free agent if they go undrafted in the NBA Draft or if they are not signed to a contract by any team after the draft. This gives these players the opportunity to sign with any team as a free agent and try to make their mark in the league.
However, the contracts that these players sign are different from regular contracts signed by drafted rookies or veteran players. Rookie free agent contracts are typically non-guaranteed and have lower salaries. This means that if a player is cut during training camp or during the season, the team is not obligated to pay the rest of their salary.
Additionally, rookie free agent contracts are usually only for one year. This gives the player the opportunity to showcase their skills and potentially earn a better contract in the future.
For example, Fred VanVleet, a current point guard for the Toronto Raptors, entered the league as a rookie free agent in 2016. He signed a two-year contract with the Raptors for a total of $1.4 million. However, after proving himself as a valuable player on the team, he earned a new contract worth $85 million over four years.
While rookie free agent contracts may seem like a disadvantage for players, they can also provide opportunities for players to prove themselves and earn a spot on an NBA team. Many successful NBA players, such as Ben Wallace and Wesley Matthews, started their careers as rookie free agents.
In conclusion, rookie free agent contracts may not offer the security and big payouts of drafted rookie contracts or veteran contracts, but they can still provide opportunities for young players to prove themselves and potentially earn a better contract in the future. As teams look for diamonds in the rough, keep an eye out for the next rookie free agent who may become the next NBA star.
