text: Whether you are a restricted or unrestricted free agent in the NBA depends on the amount of time you have in the league when your current contract expires. If you have a certain amount of service time then you can become an unrestricted free agent, meaning that you can sign with any team for any amount of money. If you have less than the prescribed time in the league than you can shop around with other teams and get an offer for yourself. However, if your current team matches that offer in the time alotted, then you have to go and play for them. That is the difference. I am not sure what amount of service in the league you have to have to qualify for unrestricted free agency.