With the 2025 NBA Draft completed, focus now shifts to free agency. Below is a detailed overview of the crucial dates and information for the free agency period in the NBA:

Start of NBA Free Agency in 2025

Negotiations for free agents can begin on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. However, formal contracts cannot be signed until the moratorium period concludes on July 6. Officially, NBA free agency will commence on July 6, 2025, at 12 p.m. ET, allowing teams to sign players, finalize trades, and enter new contracts.

This marks the opening of the 2025–26 NBA season. Stay tuned for continuous updates on signings, trades, and other news through our NBA free agency tracker.

Important NBA Free Agency Dates for 2025

• June 30: Negotiations with outside free agents begin.
• July 1: Free Agency Moratorium Period:
  • First-round picks can sign contracts.
  • Minimum deals (two years or fewer) can be signed.
  • Restricted free agents may enter into offer sheets.
  • Rookie scale and veteran extensions may start.
  • Two-way contracts can be signed or converted.
• July 6: Moratorium ends/Free Agency becomes official:
  • Teams can finalize signings of free agents.
  • Trades can be officially completed.
  • Offer sheet matching windows commence.

Understanding the NBA Free Agency Moratorium

The moratorium is a six-day window (July 1-6) in which teams can discuss contracts, but cannot officially sign players. This period allows the NBA to finalize salary cap and luxury tax calculations.

Qualifying Offers and Their Deadlines

Teams must extend qualifying offers by June 29 to make players restricted free agents. These offers grant teams the right to match any contract signed by their restricted free agents (RFAs). If a player does not sign an offer sheet by July 13, the team can withdraw its qualifying offer.

The 2025 NBA Salary Cap

The salary cap for the 2025 NBA season is set at $154.6 million, reflecting a 10% increase from the prior season, based on the NBA’s revenue forecasts agreed upon in the collective bargaining agreement with the National Basketball Players Association. Teams are required to use at least 90% of this salary cap by the start of the regular season.

Top Free Agents of the 2025 NBA Offseason

Here are the top five free agents of the 2025 offseason:

1. LeBron James
2. James Harden
3. Kyrie Irving
4. Julius Randle
5. Naz Reid