What determines the categorization of a player's free agency status?

The categorization of a player's free agency status is primarily determined by the number of Accrued Seasons earned by the player. An Accrued Season is achieved when a player is on a team's active roster for at least six games during a regular season. The number of Accrued Seasons a player has influences whether they become a restricted free agent, unrestricted free agent, or remain under the team's control.

For instance, a player with a specific number of Accrued Seasons can reach unrestricted free agency after a certain duration, where they have the freedom to negotiate with any team without any restrictions from their current team. Meanwhile, those with fewer Accrued Seasons may still be bound by their drafting team or may face restrictions if they are not allowed to become unrestricted free agents.

The other options do not directly impact a player's free agency status. The number of games played each season can contribute to earning Accrued Seasons, but it does not determine the status itself. The total salary cap utilized by the team relates more to team management and financial constraints rather than individual player status. Lastly, a player's draft round may influence their initial contracts but does not determine their free agency categorization as they progress in their careers.