Only a small percentage of pro basketball players ever become coveted free agents who can pick and choose where to sign their next contract. The majority simply hope to play at a high enough level just to get an opportunity to sign with any NBA team.
That’s where a 10-day contract plays an important role in a player’s basketball development. A 10-day contract is essentially an in-season audition to claim a permanent roster spot.
How a 10-day contract works
Teams can sign players to 10-day contracts beginning on Jan. 5 each season. These short deals are not allowed to extend past what would be a player’s final regular season game. This means a team can no longer sign a player to a 10-day contract after their 80th regular season game or if there is less than 10 days left before their final regular season game.
A team can sign any individual player to two 10-day contracts in a season. These can be consecutive contracts. After the second contract, the team has the option to either release the player or sign him for the remainder of the season. Players who sign a 10-day contract are paid a pro-rated salary, usually near the league minimum.
History of 10-day contracts
These deals became a tool for player development as a result of an agreement between the NBA and the CBA – a minor league that existed from 1946 until 2009 – in the 1980s. The rule developed as a method of cooperation between the two leagues, so that CBA players could audition for spots on an NBA roster.
With the creation and rise of the NBA Development League, 10-day contracts shifted from the CBA to the D-League. The bulk of current 10-day contract players currently come from D-League rosters.
A development tool
For a player looking to stick on an NBA roster, a 10-day contract offers a valuable window to showcase their skills. They practice with an NBA team, work directly with coaches and learn firsthand what it takes to compete at the highest level. Many players have turned 10-day contract stints into regular roster spots and have enjoyed successful NBA careers.
The BALL is engaged in helping players develop their game so that they can reach the highest level of pro basketball. We offer competitive basketball that will help players hone their skills so scouts — from the NBA, the D-League and from international leagues — will take notice and give them a shot to prove themselves.