How does team option work in the NBA? Taking a closer look

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How does team option work in the NBA?

NBA contracts have evolved a lot over the years, from the amount offered to players to factors involved with trade conversations. Usually, when it comes to league contracts, they have an agreed salary with its duration. The duration includes the year where the player is eligible to be a restricted free agent or an unrestricted free agent, along with the team option.

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With that said, how does team option work in the NBA? According to the NBA's website, it makes a team eligible to maintain a player on their roster for another year. An example used is if a player is signed to a three-year contract that includes a team option for a possible fourth season, then that can be exercised to extend the contract to another year.

However, if the team option isn't exercised before the start of the fourth season, then the player's contract ends at that point.

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Additional aspects involved with the team option in the NBA

When it comes to the team option, it is not a conditional option in a player's contract. According to the NBA's website, once the option is agreed upon by both parties, it cannot be taken back or rescinded.

Additionally, conditional team options are also not allowed in the league. Meaning, that a player is eligible for a team option only if he fulfills certain parameters such as stats or awards are not included in the stipulations of the team option.

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The league also mentioned that the team option can only be done in one year. However, rookie-scale contracts are much different. First-round picks with rookie-scale contracts have the choice to exercise the team option in either the third or fourth year of the contract.

There are a number of players in the league with a team option in their contracts, here's a look at some of these players:

  • Luke Kennard (SG) - Memphis Grizzlies
  • Jalen Green (SG) - Houston Rockets
  • Cam Thomas (PG) - Brooklyn Nets
  • Bones Hyland (PG) - Los Angeles Clippers
  • Alperen Sengun (C) - Houston Rockets
  • Scottie Barnes (PF) - Toronto Raptors
  • Cade Cunningham (PG) - Detroit Pistons
  • Josh Giddey (PG) - Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Trey Murphy III (PF) - New Orleans Pelicans
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A recent team option that was exercised was Shaedon Sharpe's contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, as per the team's X account.

Trail Blazers Nation! You can check out the latest Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and dive into the Trail Blazers Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Debasish
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