The NBA will have some rules for free agency this coming season. Any free agents that are signed after September 15 will no longer be eligible to be traded starting on December 15.
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Normally, the Collective Bargaining Agreement states that a newly signed free agent can’t be part of a trade until December 15 or until a contract has been official for three months, whichever comes later. So after September 15, players won’t be able to be traded until three months after signing. For example, if a player signs on September 30, they would become eligible to be traded on December 30.
The majority of players who switched teams or re-signed with their current teams this summer will be able to be moved on the December 15 date. But additionally, any player who was part of a sign-and-trade deal, will also not be eligible for the December 15 date.
For instance, guard Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks falls under this due to him signing a sign-and-trade deal. The same goes for forward DeMar DeRozan, who agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings.
Additionally, any player who signs a free agent contract on November 7 or later will be unable to be traded during the 2024-25 NBA season. The trade deadline falls on Feb. 6 this year so the three-month rule would push it past the date.
Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics
The new NBA season is approaching quickly and the year will open on Oct. 22 when the Boston Celtics take on the New York Knicks. After that matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers will be hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second game of the season.
The NBA has as much parity as it ever has while entering a new season. The Celtics are likely seen as the favorites to repeat as NBA champions but other teams will be trying to knock them from the mountaintop.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Knicks all will try to have a say in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, the Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns are likely to be the top-heavy teams.
Fans should be in store for a great NBA season and we’ll know more about trade eligibility once the year gets going.
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