This upcoming off-season should see an uptick in the number of sign-and-trades of free agents. A reason for this is the decrease in available cap space from 1) a lower projected salary cap and 2) previous off-seasons had team’s flush with cap space relative to current projections. While the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) did limit some of the financial benefits to a free agent pursuing a sign-and-trade, there remains substantial reasons for why a free agent would pursue a sign-and-trade which could also benefit their new team and previous team.
I will explain the mechanics of a sign-and-trade and reasons for why this is worthy of pursuing.