Can someone explain restricted free agency?

Woolyy · Post #1 » by **Woolyy** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:49 pm

I don't understand matching offers and what not.. I'll try to use an example if this helps:

Eric Gordon is a RFA
Suns sign him to a max contract of like 4years/$58million
Hornets match

This is where RFA loses me. Can Gordon still sign with the Suns, or does he HAVE to go back to NO since they matched?

RoadWarriorZ · Post #2 » by **RoadWarriorZ** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:12 am

He has to go back to NO. Lin also has to go back to NY if they match the Rockets' offer. They're RESTRICTED.

Woolyy · Post #3 » by **Woolyy** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:19 am

RoadWarriorZ wrote:He has to go back to NO. Lin also has to go back to NY if they match the Rockets' offer. They're RESTRICTED.

Ahh thank you! It makes sense, but I think it's stupid. They can only leave if it's a sign and trade, like possibly Batum?

Jan_Sobieski · Post #4 » by **Jan_Sobieski** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:05 am

Its a process where a player refrains from hopping on Rileys Phallus for a longer period than usual in order to get a roster spot. Unrestricted means a dude can dive all in at that ish right away, no hassle.

Lord Hades · Post #5 » by **Lord Hades** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:07 am

RFAs can sign a qualifying offer from their current team, play out the season and then they're unrestricted for the following season and can go whenever they want. It's not a commonly chosen option because the QO is LOT less than what they can otherwise get, but if a guy (like Gordon) wanted out badly enough, the option was there.