What is the primary purpose of a qualifying offer?

The primary purpose of a qualifying offer is to allow the original team to retain the player while also giving the player the opportunity to enter free agency under certain conditions. When a team extends a qualifying offer, it essentially signals the team's intent to keep the player by offering a one-year contract at a set salary. This mechanism ensures that the team has a chance to negotiate with the player, and if the player chooses not to accept the offer and instead signs with another team, the original team may receive compensation in the form of draft picks. Thus, the qualifying offer serves as a strategic tool for teams to maintain control over their players and influence the dynamics of free agency.