What does a Transition Tender represent?

A Transition Tender represents the average of the third to the twenty-fifth highest salaries for players at the same position. This tender is primarily used in the context of restricted free agency and serves as a way for teams to retain their players while allowing them the opportunity to negotiate with other teams.

When a player is issued a Transition Tender, their current team has the right to match any offer made by another team. If the original team does not match the offer, they do not receive any compensatory draft picks in return, contrasting with other tender options, such as the Franchise Tag. This system aims to balance the interests of both the player and the teams, ensuring that players receive fair market value based on their peers' salaries while still offering teams some level of control over their roster.

Other options do not accurately describe the Transition Tender's purpose: the guaranteed contract over four years is unrelated, the 5th-year option pertains to rookie contracts, and the Franchise Tag specifically applies to players deemed elite, allowing teams to retain key talent at a higher salary threshold.