What is what does it mean to waive a player?

Waiving a player in sports, particularly in professional leagues like the NBA, NHL, or NFL, essentially means putting that player on waivers.

• Purpose: It's a procedure used by a team to remove a player from their roster, often to reduce salary commitments or to make room for another player.

• How it works: When a player is waived, other teams in the league have a limited time (usually 24-48 hours) to claim the player's contract.

• Claiming a player: If a team claims the waived player, they assume the responsibility of the player's existing contract. The claiming order is typically determined by the league standings (worst record gets first priority).

• Going unclaimed: If the player goes unclaimed during the waiver period, they become a free agent. The waiving team may still be responsible for some or all of the player's remaining salary, depending on the circumstances. The conditions like dead cap might apply.

• Considerations:

  • Contract Type: The specifics of the waiver process can vary depending on the player's contract.
  • Timing: The timing of a waiver can be strategic, as teams may be more or less likely to claim a player depending on their roster needs and salary cap situation.
  • Unconditional Waivers: In some sports, the waiving team can issue unconditional waivers.