RealGM

Is it considered tampering/collusion to discuss a new contract with a player of your own team, under contract, who holds a player option for that upcoming season? Can the team arrange a deal asking the player to opt-out of their current contract to sign a long-term contract?

E.g., It's June of 2011, player has a player option for 2011-2012 worth 16 million. You ask them to opt out and resign for 3 years/40 million, starting at (12, 13.26, 14.65)?

That would not be considered tampering. Tampering only occurs when a team has contact with a player (or his representative) under contract to another team without permission from the player's team.

So, maybe not tampering, but would it possibly be collusion then? It's not against any rules?