a player who can sign with another team, but with one or more restrictions
a player who may be free to sign with another team, but with certain restrictions
a player who's been in the league three seasons and is one year away from unrestricted free agency
a player whose contract has expired, but who is still subject to a right of first refusal and/or draft choice compensation in favor of his prior team
a young player who is a year away from true free agency and is going to get a taste of free agency this year