What is bird rights?
Bird rights let an NBA team re-sign its own free agent for any amount up to the maximum, even when the team is over the cap. A player earns full Bird rights after three seasons without changing teams as a free agent.
How it works
The rule is named for Larry Bird, whose Celtics were the first team allowed to exceed the cap to keep him. It is the single biggest reason NBA payrolls run far above the cap.
Full Bird rights come after three seasons. A player traded during that time keeps his clock running with the new team; a player who changes teams as a free agent or clears waivers resets it.
Two lesser versions exist. Early Bird rights, after two seasons, allow a raise to 175% of the prior salary or 105% of the league average salary, whichever is greater. Non-Bird rights, after one season, allow up to 120% of the prior salary or 120% of the minimum.
The numbers
Up to the max
175% of prior salary
120% of prior salary
An example
A team at $190 million can still re-sign its starting guard for $30 million a year because it holds his Bird rights. Another team with no cap room could offer him only its mid-level.
What it means for a player
Bird rights are leverage. Your current team can outbid almost anyone, so the question in free agency is often whether other teams can create room to compete with that.
Sources
Reviewed September 26, 2026 by McKinley Malbrough III, J.D., MS-HRM, certified WNBA player agent and former certified NBA agent. Figures are refreshed each July. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.