Reacquiring a Free Agent.

[Curmudgeon]

Let's say a player has a player option. Team A trades him away in February. In July the player declines his player option, becomes an unrestricted free agent and wants to resign with team A. Can he?

I understand that if a player is traded away and subsequently waived, the Payton rule kicks in, and the team has to wait a year. I thought the rule was also a one-year waiting if the player later becomes a free agent, but I can't find it.

[DBoys]

Can he?

Yes.

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks!