<P> Certain players in the first few months of a new contract are subject to base year compensation (BYC). The intent of BYC is to prevent teams from re-signing players to salaries specifically targeted to match other salaries in a trade (in other words, salary should be based on basketball value, not trade value). A BYC player's trade value as outgoing salary is 50% of his new salary, or his previous salary, whichever is greater . BYC applies only to players who re-sign with their previous team and receive a raise greater than 20% . It also applies only when (and as long as) the team is over the salary cap . Under the 2011 CBA, players subject to BYC cannot be traded before January 15 except in a sign - and - trade, and BYC is only applied to outgoing salary in sign - and - trade deals . </P> <P> NBA teams can release a player to the waiver wire, where he can stay for 48 hours (during the regular season). While he is on waivers, other teams may claim him, for his existing salary . If he is not claimed, he is said to have "cleared waivers", and is treated like any free agent, able to sign with any team (with the special restriction noted above for players who were traded and then waived). </P> <P> Players waived after March 1 are not eligible to be on a team's playoff roster . The deadline was March 23 during the lockout - shortened 2011--12 season . </P> <P> Released / waived players with guaranteed contracts continue to be included in their former team's payroll . Players whose contracts are guaranteed are included in team salary in the amount they made while they were with the team . Players on non-guaranteed "summer contracts" are not included in team salary unless they make the regular season roster . </P>

When can an nba team waives a player
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