Tiago Splitter

[Harper4Ferry?]

I wish this board had a search that worked cause I'm sure this has been asked, but anyways, how is Splitter a RFA after the 2013 season concludes? He was originially signed to a 3 year/11m dollar deal, but he was also a first round pick. I'm not sure how this whole thing is possible. Did the spurs opt out of the traditional 2/1/1 contract arrangement with him?

[answerthink]

A first round pick who does not sign with the team that holds his draft rights for three seasons following the draft in which he was selected (and who did not play intercollegiate basketball in the interim) can enter into either (i) a rookie scale contract or (ii) if the team has the necessary room (i.e., cap space or any available exception), a contract covering at least three seasons that provides for base compensation in the first season greater than 120% of the applicable rookie scale amount. Splitter was drafted by the Spurs in 2007 and signed in the summer of 2010 (satisfying the three-season requirement) and the Spurs had the room (in the form of their MLE) to offer him a contract that provided for base compensation in the first year ($3.4 million) far greater than 120% of the applicable scale amount for a No. 28 pick ($1.0 million).

Restricted free agency is allowed for veteran free agents who have been in the league three or fewer seasons. Splitter signed a three-year contract which expires at the end of this season, and is thus is eligible to become a RFA this summer.

[Three34]

Long story short, you know how first rounders have a pre-set salary scale? Well, if you wait three years, they aren't bound by it any more, and you can sign them to something else. Joel Freeland did the same this summer.

[Harper4Ferry?]

Thanks, I must have missed that part.

I was just checking out Freeland on ESPN cause I remember when he was drafted. He has a weird face on his espn photo.