Strong seasons increase qualifying offer amount for 9 RFAs

The fourth year of a first-round pick's career can be a career-defining one.

For some lucky, talented or risk-averse players, it doesn't mean all that much outside of the normal development curve. For those who eschewed signing a rookie deal extension prior to Oct. 31, a fourth season is a final chance to audition for the entire league ahead of restricted free agency.

Players like Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler famously bet on themselves, turning down sizable extension offers in hopes of landing a maximum contract this summer. That's paid off for some more than others, and 11 potential restricted free agents have changed their qualifying offer amounts as a result of their play.

The qualifying offer is the one-year deal a team must offer a restricted free agent by June 30 to maintain their rights, giving them the option to match any offer sheet a player signs elsewhere. In most cases, players decline the offer, but it's a real contract that a player could sign, affording him unrestricted free agency the following summer. So there's some risk in offering it.

The amount also matters for salary cap purposes, as it's the qualifying offer amount that remains on a team's books until a cap hold is established by signing an offer sheet or a new contract.

In most cases, the qualifying offer is based on prior salary, which is based on draft position. Certain criteria can alter those amounts, as several players learned this year - nine increased their qualifying offer amount and two decreased it, according to ESPN.

The table below shows the qualifying offer amount for each of this summer's potential restricted free agents, should their teams choose to qualify them.