When Does NBA Free Agency Begin?
NBA free agency for the 2026 offseason begins June 30, 2026 at 6 PM Eastern time. However, the Moratorium Period — during which teams can negotiate verbally but cannot officially sign contracts — begins June 28. Teams can agree to deals and announce them during the moratorium, but no ink touches paper until June 30.
Restricted vs. Unrestricted Free Agency
- Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA): Contract expired; player can sign with any team for any amount. Original team has no right of first refusal.
- Restricted Free Agent (RFA): Player has completed a rookie deal and the team extended a Qualifying Offer. The team retains the right to match any offer sheet within 48 hours — preventing the player from leaving on those terms.
Young players on rookie contracts typically become Restricted Free Agents after year four. Teams use RFA status to retain cost-controlled talent; players often seek extensions to avoid the uncertainty of restricted free agency.
Bird Rights: The Most Important Exception
NBA Free Agency 2026, Named after Larry Bird, this exception allows teams to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own players. Without Bird Rights, franchises could not retain stars once their contracts expired while maintaining competitive rosters around them.
A player earns full Bird Rights after three seasons with the same team. Early Bird Rights apply after two consecutive seasons, permitting re-signing at 175% of the previous salary or league minimum. Non-Bird Rights allow a smaller exception for players without the full three-year threshold.
Maximum Contract Figures
- 0-6 years of service: Max = 25% of the salary cap (~$38.3M at the 2025-26 cap)
- 7-9 years of service: Max = 30% of the salary cap (~$45.9M)
- 10+ years of service: Max = 35% of the salary cap (~$53.6M)
The supermax — available only from a player’s current team under specific MVP/All-Star/DPOY criteria — can reach 35% for 7-9 year players and 40% for 10+ year veterans.
Sign-and-Trade Mechanics
NBA Free Agency 2026, A sign-and-trade allows a player to sign a new contract with his current team and be immediately traded to a new destination. Benefits: the player receives a longer contract and higher total value than a direct signing with the new team would allow; the old team receives assets rather than losing the player for nothing.
Key Dates for 2026 Free Agency
- June 28, 2026: Moratorium begins — negotiations open, contracts cannot be signed
- June 30, 2026 at 6 PM ET: Free agency officially opens; contracts can be signed
- July 15, 2026: Veteran player options deadline
Frequently Asked Questions: NBA Free Agency
When does NBA free agency start in 2026?
Officially June 30, 2026 at 6 PM ET. Negotiations can begin June 28 during the moratorium.
What are Bird Rights?
Bird Rights allow teams to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own players, earned after three seasons with the same franchise.
What is the difference between restricted and unrestricted free agency?
Unrestricted free agents can sign with any team without restriction. Restricted free agents’ teams can match any offer within 48 hours, keeping the player from leaving on those terms.
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