The rulebook

CBA glossary

Every concept behind the numbers, in plain English, and live on every team's cap sheet.


Offseason & season calendarWhen does the cap year actually move?

Lines

Unlikely bonusesWhat are unlikely bonuses? Repeater taxWhat is the repeater tax? Salary capWhat is the salary cap? Salary floorWhat is the salary floor? Luxury taxWhat is the luxury tax? First apronWhat is the first apron? Second apronWhat is the second apron?

Position

Cap spaceWhat is cap space? Building over the capHow do teams build over the cap? Hard capWhat is the hard cap?

Exceptions

Mid-level exception (non-taxpayer)What is the mid-level exception (non-taxpayer)? Taxpayer mid-level exceptionWhat is the taxpayer mid-level exception? Room mid-level exceptionWhat is the room mid-level exception? Bi-annual exceptionWhat is the bi-annual exception?

Trades

Salary matchingHow does salary matching work in a trade? Sign-and-tradeWhat is the sign-and-trade? Traded player exceptionWhat is the traded player exception? Trade kickerWhat is the trade kicker? Disabled player exceptionWhat is the disabled player exception?

Free agency

Unrestricted free agentWhat is the unrestricted free agent? Restricted free agencyWhat is a restricted free agent? Qualifying offerWhat is the qualifying offer? Offer sheetWhat is the offer sheet? Free agency moratoriumWhat is the free agency moratorium?

Holds

Cap holdWhat is the cap hold? RenouncingWhat does renouncing a free agent mean? Minimum cap holdWhat is the minimum cap hold? Draft pick holdWhat is the draft pick hold? Incomplete-roster chargeWhat is the incomplete-roster charge?

Bird rights

Bird rightsWhat are Bird rights? Early Bird rightsWhat are Early Bird rights? Non-Bird rightsWhat are non-Bird rights?

Contracts

Player optionWhat is a player option? Team optionWhat is a team option? Early termination optionWhat is an early termination option? Two-way contractWhat is a two-way contract? Dead moneyWhat is dead money? Max salary tiersHow do NBA max salaries work? Rookie scaleWhat is the rookie scale? Veteran minimumWhat is the veteran minimum? Stretch provisionWhat is the stretch provision? Exhibit 10What is the exhibit 10? Supermax (Designated Veteran extension)What is the supermax? Rookie-scale extension (Rose Rule)What is the rookie-scale extension (rose rule)? Veteran extensionWhat is the veteran extension? Guaranteed vs. non-guaranteed salaryWhat does guaranteed salary mean? WaiversWhat does it mean to waive a player? 10-day contractWhat is the 10-day contract?