If a team elects to stretch a player's protected compensation, when can they not re-sign that player?

When a team elects to stretch a player's protected compensation, they essentially spread the remaining salary of that player over a longer period for cap purposes. According to the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement regulations, once a player’s contract is terminated and their salary is stretched, the team cannot re-sign that player for a period of one year from the date of termination. This rule is designed to prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage by immediately cutting a player and then re-signing them shortly after while still benefitting from the stretched cap relief.

The options suggesting longer periods, a restriction to the offseason, or the assertion that a team can always re-sign a player do not align with the current regulations set forth by the NBA regarding the stretching of a player's compensation. Thus, the specific timeline of one year is crucial as it establishes a clear boundary for teams and ensures integrity in managing player contracts and salary cap implications.