What is an Offer Sheet in the context of restricted free agents?

An Offer Sheet is a crucial tool in the context of restricted free agents, allowing another team to propose a contract for a player whose current team has the right to match any offer. When a restricted free agent receives an Offer Sheet from another team, it signifies a specific financial and contractual proposal that the player can accept if their current team does not match it within a specified timeframe.

This mechanism ensures that while teams have control over their restricted free agents, those players still have the opportunity to negotiate and potentially sign with a new team if they receive an appealing Offer Sheet. The process maintains competitive balance within the league, as teams must evaluate their desire to keep a player against the financial implications of matching the offering team’s proposal. Thus, the offer represents a significant step in the player's negotiations and career trajectory, making it an essential part of player movement in the NBA.