NBA free agents are players whose contracts have run out. They're no longer signed to a team. They're out of work, and need a new contract, either with the same team or a new one.

Explanation of restricted NBA free agents: Players can sign with any team in the league that offers them a valid contract. They're totally free to go where they want.

Explanation of restricted NBA free agents: Players who are restricted free agents can re-sign with their most recent team, or sign an offer sheet with a new team. But if they do the latter and sign an offer sheet elsewhere then their previous team has the right to match the contract of that offer sheet and re-sign the player, whether the player wants them to or not.

There are also player options and team options. If a player's contract is a player option for the season, it means the player has the ability to "opt out" of the contract and become a free agent. And if a player's contract says that this season is a team option, then as you'd guess, the team has the option to decline the option and cause the player to become a free agent.

Key NBA Free Agent Dates: In the summer of 2012, the date NBA free agent negotiations began was July 1, 2012. Players and teams can negotiate, and agree to deals, but nothing can become official yet. The date NBA free agents were able to officially begin signing contracts was July 11, 2012. So, as expected, there was a giant flurry of deals announced on July 11, as well as the next few days. And then things calm down a bit, as most of the top NBA free agents are signed, and lots of lesser, bench-level players remain available.

2012 NBA FREE AGENTS LIST
As of July 16, 2012, these are the players that are or may become NBA free agents this summer

Atlanta Hawks: C Jason Collins (unrestricted), G Kirk Hinrich (unrestricted), G/F Tracy McGrady (unrestricted), G Jannero Pargo (unrestricted), F Ivan Johnson (unrestricted)

Boston Celtics: G/F Marquis Daniels, G Keyon Dooling, F Jeff Green, C Ryan Hollins, G/F Sasha Pavlovic, G/F Mickael Pietrus, C Greg Stiemsma (restricted)

Brooklyn Nets: Free Agents: G Sundiata Gaines (restricted), F Kris Humphries, F Damion James, G Armon Johnson, F/C Shelden Williams

Charlotte Bobcats: G D.J. Augustin (unrestricted), G Matt Carroll (unrestricted), C DeSagana Diop (unrestricted), F D.J. White (unrestricted)

Chicago Bulls: C Omer Asik (restricted), G Mike James, G John Lucas III, F Brian Scalabrine

Cleveland Cavaliers: G Matt Carroll (unrestricted), C DeSagana Diop (unrestricted), F D.J. White (unrestricted)

Dallas Mavericks: F Brian Cardinal (unrestricted), F Yi Jianlian (unrestricted), G Delonte West (unrestricted), F Sean Williams (unrestricted)

Denver Nuggets: G Rudy Fernandez (restricted), C JaVale McGee (restricted)

Detroit Pistons: F Vernon Macklin, F Jason Maxiell, Walker Russell Jr. (restricted), C Ben Wallace, G/F Damien Wilkins

Golden State Warriors: C Mickell Gladness, F Dominic McGuire, C Mikki Moore, G Nate Robinson, G/F Brandon Rush, F Chris Wright

Houston Rockets: G Courtney Lee (restricted)

Indiana Pacers: F Louis Amundson, G Leandro Barbosa, C Kyrylo Fesenko, G A.J. Price (restricted)

Los Angeles Clippers: G Randy Foye (unrestricted), F Kenyon Martin (unrestricted), F Bobby Simmons (unrestricted)

Los Angeles Lakers: F Matt Barnes (unrestricted), F Devin Ebanks (restricted), F Jordan Hill (unrestricted), G Darius Morris (restricted), F/C Troy Murphy (unrestricted)

Memphis Grizzlies: G Gilbert Arenas (unrestricted), F Darrell Arthur (restricted), C Hamed Haddadi (restricted), G O.J. Mayo (restricted), F Marreese Speights (restricted)

Miami Heat: C Eddy Curry (unrestricted), C Dexter Pittman (unrestricted), C Ronny Turiaf (unrestricted)

Milwaukee Bucks: F Carlos Delfino

Minnesota Timberwolves: F Anthony Randolph (unrestricted), F Anthony Tolliver (unrestricted), F Michael Beasley (unrestricted)

New Orleans Hornets: G Marco Belinelli (unrestricted), C Chris Kaman (unrestricted), F Carl Landry (unrestricted), F DeJuan Summers (unrestricted)

New York Knicks: G Mike Bibby, G Baron Davis, F Jared Jeffries, G Jeremy Lin (restricted)

Oklahoma City Thunder: G Derek Fisher (unrestricted), G Royal Ivey (unrestricted), C Nazr Mohammed (unrestricted)

Orlando Magic: None

Philadelphia 76ers: F/C Tony Battie, F Craig Brackins, G Jodie Meeks, G Xavier Silas, G-F Sam Young

Phoenix Suns: F Grant Hill (unrestricted), C Robin Lopez (restricted), G Ronnie Price (unrestricted), G Michael Redd (unrestricted)

Portland Trail Blazers: F Nicolas Batum (restricted), G Jonny Flynn (unrestricted), C Joel Przybilla (unrestricted), F Craig Smith (unrestricted), F Shawne Williams (unrestricted, player option)

Sacramento Kings: F Donte Greene (restricted), G/F Terrence Williams (restricted)

San Antonio Spurs:G James Anderson (unrestricted)

Toronto Raptors: C Solomon Alabi, G/F Alan Anderson, C Aaron Gray, C Jamaal Magloire, G Ben Uzoh

Utah Jazz: G Blake Ahearn (restricted), F Josh Howard (unrestricted), F C.J. Miles (unrestricted)

Washington Wizards: F Brian Cook (unrestricted), G/F Maurice Evans (unrestricted), G Roger Mason (unrestricted