Player types
There are three broad categories of players in the CBA — (1) rookies (players that have never signed an NBA contract), (2) veterans (players who have signed at least one contract), and (3) two-way players (a new category created in this round of collective bargaining that allows players to play in both the NBA and the developmental league, now called the “G league”).
Rookie
A rookie is a player who has never signed a contract with an NBA team. A draft rookie is a rookie who is selected in the draft, and a non-draft rookie is a rookie who is not selected in the first draft they’re eligible for.
veteran
A veteran is a player who has signed at least one contract with an NBA team. A veteran can be classified for free agency in a variety of ways (each explained in more detail in the free agency concept): (i) as a qualifying veteran free agent (“Bird” rights), (ii) as an early qualifying veteran free agent (“Early Bird” rights), or (iii) as a non-qualifying veteran free agent.
TWo-Way player
A Two-Way Player provides services primarily to his NBA team’s G League affiliate. However, a Two-Way Player can serve on the NBA team’s active list or inactive list for up to 45 days during a season. Days that a Two-Way Player spends with the NBA team before the G league starts and after the G league ends do not count towards the 45-day limit. A Two-Way Player must be signed to a two-way contract and may only be paid their two-way salary. A team cannot have more than 2 Two-Way Players on its roster..
Note, a Two-Way Player can only play in the playoffs if before his team’s last regular season game either (i) the player is signed to a standard NBA contract or (ii) the team converts the two-way contract to a standard NBA contract. Otherwise, the Two-Way Player can only travel and practice with the team and serve on the inactive list.