MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Rui Hachimura #8 of the Washington Wizards scores on a slam dunk ... [+] during the first half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 01, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesRestricted Free Agency, or RFA, has long been a thorn in the side of NBA franchises, as it allows opposing teams to set the market on a player who the incumbent team has struggled to peg down financially.
Furthermore, when a team forego the option of extending a player, the trade value of that player diminishes dramatically during his fourth season, as any interested team would have to take on the headache of dealing with RFA negotiations throughout the summer.
That's why forward Rui Hachimura, who was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers on Januray 23rd, could be had for Kendrick Nunn and three modest second-round draft picks. It's not that the Washington Wizards received equal on-court value back for shipping out the Japanese forward to the Los Angeles Lakers. But they did get fair value, given the aforementioned circumstances. Those two elements differ greatly.
Essentially, the biggest problem with RFA is the unknown long-term financial status of the player being traded.
The Lakers, in theory, have no clue what the market is for Hachimura going into the 2023 offseason. Could they get him back on a deal for around $15 million? Or, does a team out there believe in Hachimura's upside to an extent of $20+ million per year?
If the latter, the Lakers would be forced into an uncomfortable situation where they would need to either let Hachimura leave for nothing, or match an offer sheet where they pay him several million more than they think he's worth.
Here's a quick rule of thumb: NBA teams like to know what they have to deal with, especially financially. It makes a difference if a player suddenly swings up or down $5 million per year, to the point where potential plans could need to be altered.
As such, RFA is an element most teams should try to avoid, unless the player in question is clearly going to be worth a maximum contract.
Navigating RFA waters begin with understanding the fact that extending a player's rookie contract should be preferable. Say the Wizards had locked up Hachimura to a set deal of four years and $64 million. The Wizards themselves might not love that deal, but they could begin to shop him after the contract activates on July 1, 2023.
Teams would then know what Hachimura's compensation level would be for the next four years, and this gives them necessary insights as to optimize their own roster construction. There are no unforeseen contractual elements, nor will Hachimura's salary suddenly jump due to outside interference, as it could via RFA where outside teams set the market value.
The clever teams, especially those good at long-term evaluation, will likely have pivoted away from a rookie contract player earlier, if they realize he's not going to be worth their investment.
By trading away a player with two more years on their rookie contract, you're tapping into the player's perceived potential around the league, and optimizing trade value. Teams simply stand a better chance at getting a significantly bigger return by trading a player earlier in the four team-controlled years of the rookie contract.
Naturally, that too comes with risk, as players can make big leaps later in their careers. Famously, the Chicago Bulls decided Jimmy Butler wasn't worth an extension of $50 million in 2014, but were forced to fork over almost twice that ($95 million) the following summer after he turned himself into a max contract player in his fourth season.
Going back to Washington, the Hachimura situation was ultimately poorly handled. The Wizards have not only had a clearly superior player in Kyle Kuzma in front of Hachimura for a year and a half, but they also have generally have had too deep a backcourt. They should have known that the writing was on the wall with Hachimura a while ago, and instead they shipped him off when his value was at his lowest, and received a return fitting of such circumstances.
Teams should use this situation as a cautionary tale in how to make quicker decisions regarding their upcoming restricted free agents.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Morten Stig Jensen, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2023/01/24/how-restricted-free-agency-played-a-role-in-rui-hachimura-trade/
By: Morten Stig Jensen, Contributor
Title: How Restricted Free Agency Played A Role In Rui Hachimura Trade
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2023/01/24/how-restricted-free-agency-played-a-role-in-rui-hachimura-trade/
Published Date: 01-25-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the greatest rivalry within the NBA?
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers hold the title of the biggest rivalry in the NBA.
The NBA Finals has seen 12 meetings between the Boston Celtics (with 9 wins) and the Los Angeles Lakers (12 wins). The Celtics have won nine of those meetings. They first met in 1959. Both teams excelled in the years following, especially in the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s when they would be facing each other six and three times respectively. Even though 2000 was the new millennium in many ways, they still met twice each year.
How long does it take to become an NBA superstar?
To become a true NBA superstar requires a lot more dedication and time. It takes years of hard work, physical conditioning, as well as skill development to become an NBA star. The average player spends between three and five year in college to perfect their skills before being eligible for the draft. Once drafted, players must continue to excel in the NBA, earn a starting spot on their team, and make All-Star teams or MVP awards. You will need to be more skilled and receive professional guidance from your coaches and trainers in order to do this. It takes time to become a NBA superstar. It takes dedication, commitment, and time to reach such accolades. Anyone can achieve their dreams and be a NBA star with the right mindset.
Which is the greatest NBA team?
The answer to this question can be subjective and will likely remain a topic of debate for years. Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics have the most NBA titles with 17, while the Boston Celtics has 17. Chicago Bulls' glory years were in the 1990s under Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson. The San Antonio Spurs have won five titles since 1999. In the same decade, the Golden State Warriors has won four. Other notable teams from throughout NBA history include the Philadelphia 76ers of the early 1980s, the Kobe-Shaq Lakers of the 2000s, and LeBron James's Miami Heat team that won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.
Who holds the record at the NBA for most career playoff wins
LeBron has led the charge with an impressive 174 wins over NBA Playoffs history. He also played in 266 games. It's easy to see why he is one the most sought-after players in basketball today.
Who invented basketball?
While it isn't known exactly where basketball originated, it's widely believed that James Naismith (now Springfield College), was a teacher at the International Young Men's Christian Association's Training School (now Springfield College). Naismith invented the basic rules of basketball and put a peach basket on an elevated track. He split his class into nine teams and taught them the basics of his game called "Basket Ball." Original version had a soccer ball and two peach baskets attached to the gymnasium's ends. The goaltending was not allowed. Players could only shoot at a basket from below. It spread slowly across America. By the 1900s, basketball was a professional sport, with teams playing in large arenas. It's one of today's most popular games.
What is a restricted player free agent in NBA basketball?
A restricted free agent in NBA refers to a player, who has finished their rookie contract and is now an unrestricted - free agent. The rights of their former team are not affected. In this case, the team can match any offer sheet made to them by another team. If they do, the player must continue to play for their team and remain within their contract. This allows players to be retained who have been valuable in the past, but are not currently able or able afford them. Restricted-free agents are a type that allows teams to have a lot of flexibility when creating their rosters.
Statistics
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
sbnation.com
nba.com
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
si.com
- NBA Free Agency Preview. The Biggest Question and Rumors
- Free From Quarantine: The NBA Bubble Is A Unique Experience
How To
How do you buy an NBA jersey?
Buying an NBA jersey is easy, especially with the number of online retailers that specialize in selling official team merchandise. To ensure that you get exactly what you want, make sure you do your research on the size and quality of the jersey before you buy.
There are a few things you should remember when buying your NBA jersey online. It is important to choose the right size. Refer to the size chart for your team, and make sure the jersey is in inches. Pick a size that fits your body best, and remember to leave some room around the chest area.
It is also important to know what jersey fabric was used. The majority of NBA jerseys are 100% polyester. However, some jerseys may be made with a combination of different materials to achieve the desired appearance and feel. It's also important to check if the product is an authentic team replica or just a generic knockoff.
Before you make your purchase, be sure to read through customer reviews. This will help you evaluate the quality and customer service provided by the retailer. After you have found an online shop with a good reputation make sure to compare prices before making your purchase.
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