You can go over the salary cap to resign a player who has been on your team for what is it 4 years? Anyhow the reason its called bird rights is because Larry Bird was the first player to do it back in the day. That was the cliff notes version. ------------------ ``It's bigger than chalupas,''.....Wesley Person
In order for a player to receive Bird Rights, they must have been signed under the same contract for at least 2 years. At 2 years, they get "Early Bird Rights" giving their current team some rights to sign them for certain amounts of money over and above the salary cap. After 3 years under the same contract, the player's current team may sign him for the maximum salary, which is dependant upon the number of years that player has been in the league. The longer they've been in the league, the higher the possible maximum. Additionally, no other team may sign that player for the maximum amount as a free agent. The current team has the edge there. It doesn't matter where the player is, also. The contract is what matters. If a player is traded, so is his contract. ------------------ "You know what they say about the music business. Here today, gone TODAY! - Chris Rock at the MTV Music Video Awards
So what would be the maximum we could sign Steve Francis to? ------------------ Arkansas' Biggest Rocket Fan!
Judging by the ever increasing salaries, I'd say a 7 year 90 million deal. I'm no expert, though. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
If we do sign Webber to a big, long-term contract, will we still have the resources in 2-3 years to sign Steve Francis when he becomes a free agent? ------------------ Arkansas' Biggest Rocket Fan!
of course, we will own his bird rights so we can sign him to the max when his time comes. ------------------
OK I'm sorry if this question has been asked before in a different thread but I'm confused. What exactly are Bird Rights? ------------------ Arkansas' Biggest Rocket Fan!