These acquisitions represent the process by which National Basketball Association teams sign players who were eligible for, but not selected in, the annual NBA draft. An example includes a team extending a contract to a player immediately following the conclusion of the draft, allowing them to participate in team activities such as summer league.
This practice is important because it allows teams to identify and secure potentially valuable talent that may have been overlooked or undervalued during the draft selection process. Many players who were not initially drafted have gone on to have successful NBA careers, contributing significantly to their respective teams. This mechanism offers a second chance for players to showcase their abilities and provides teams with cost-effective options to bolster their rosters.