The following players were on NBA rosters at the end of the previous season. Many players signed with teams from other leagues due to the 2011 NBA lockout. FIBA allowed players under NBA contracts to sign and play for teams from other leagues if the contracts had opt-out clauses that allowed the players to return to the NBA if the lockout ended. The Chinese Basketball Association, however, only allowed its clubs to sign foreign free agents who could play for at least the entire season. Chinese nationals were exempt from this rule; this allowed Yi Jianlian to return to the NBA upon the end of the lockout. The list also includes unsigned 2011 draft picks who signed with teams from other leagues, but excludes unsigned 2011 draft picks who were already playing overseas before the draft.