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2026-27 · Preseason · Preseason
Game state source: whynba · Retrieved Oct 9, 5:05 pm EDTThe WhyNBA newsroom
Scores & scheduleAnalysis & guides
The rules behind the moves. Explore NBA contracts, spending limits and the decisions that shape the game.
NBA rules and contract guides
17 guidesStart with the question behind the headline. Explore salary limits, player contracts, league rules and coaching history, with explanations linked to their primary sources.
Salary cap and exceptions
Understand spending limits, player rights and ways to build a roster.
2026-27 NBA salary cap explained: luxury tax, first and second aprons
Official season amounts and CBA-backed explanations of the soft cap, luxury tax and transaction restrictions.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA salary-cap announcement · checked
2026-27 NBA mid-level exception: amounts, contract lengths and apron rules
Official announced amounts with CBA-backed eligibility, splitting, four/two/three-season limits, assignment uses, proration and expiry.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA salary-cap announcement · checked
NBA Bird rights: Early Bird, Non-Bird, trades and cap holds
CBA-backed comparison of qualifying seasons, starting salary and contract limits, with waiver, one-year trade and renunciation exceptions.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA trade exception: meaning, expiry and apron rules
CBA-backed standard, aggregated and expanded matching, the one-year deadline, non-aggregation and first- and second-apron restrictions.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
2026-27 NBA Disabled Player Exception: salary limits, deadlines and calculator
CBA-backed one-player replacement rules, the signing-versus-acquisition $100,000 difference, medical approval, March 10 expiry and injured-player returns.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA salary-cap announcement · checked
Contracts and roster moves
Follow a contract from signing and matching to waivers and remaining salary.
NBA two-way contracts: salary, game limits and conversion rules
Explore two-way salary rules, Active List limits, deadlines and postseason restrictions, with a calendar-day proration calculator.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA qualifying offer: deadlines, matching and restricted free agency
CBA-backed explanations of tendering, accepting and withdrawing an offer, matching deadlines and two-way exceptions.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA 10-day contracts: salary, length and signing rules
CBA-backed salary proration, the three-team-game rule, signing limits and hardship authorization, including how it differs from the Disabled Player Exception.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA buyout rules: waivers, March 1 and the first apron
CBA-backed buyout steps, the waiver window, postseason cutoff, signing restrictions and remaining cap charges.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA stretch provision: cap hits, player payments and calculator
CBA-backed timing, the cap-allocation formula, the $500,000 protected-payment threshold and the 15% former-player salary limit.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA no-trade clauses: eligibility, consent and one-year rules
CBA-backed eight-and-four eligibility, one-year Bird consent, subsequent trades, matched offer sheets and the difference from a trade bonus.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA Exhibit 10 contracts: salary, bonus formula and two-way conversion
Primary-source explanations of minimum salary, cap-linked bonus arithmetic, affiliate service, conversion and compensation protection.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA season salary-cap announcement · checked
NBA Communications 2023-24 salary-cap announcement · checked
Rules, standings and coaching
Explore award eligibility, standings ties, replay decisions and coaching history.
NBA 65-game rule: awards eligibility, minutes and exceptions
Read the CBA requirements and exceptions, and calculate a baseline qualifying-game count without inferring a player's official eligibility.
Sources and checked dates
NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement · checked
NBA tiebreakers and the Play-In, explained
How the NBA resolves two-team and multi-team standings ties, and how the Play-In determines the final playoff places.
Sources and checked dates
NBA standings rules · checked
NBA coach challenge rules: calls, timeouts and second challenges
Published Rule 14 explained: eligible calls, challenge timing, timeout costs and nearby-foul review, with dated official evidence.
Sources and checked dates
NBA Official Rule 14 · checked
Why NBA coaches stopped wearing suits: the 2020 change
Historical coverage of the 2020–21 coaching attire change, with dated NBA Coaches Association and original ESPN sources.
The NBA’s 15 greatest coaches: the NBA 75 list explained
The official February 2022 selection, its 43-coach voting panel and why the alphabetical names are not an ordered ranking.
Sources and checked dates
NBA Communications · checked
NBA Coaches Association · checked
NBCA selection graphic · checked
Analysis & guides
NBA waivers explained: claims, the 48-hour window and free agency
What an NBA waiver means, when the 48-hour claim window begins, how priority works and why clearing waivers differs from a new signing or G League assignment.
Analysis from the newsroom
4 storiesAnalysis & guides
The playoffs, explained. Every game changes everything.
From the Play-In Tournament to the Finals, understand the route to an NBA championship.