The rulebook
Every date that moves the cap year, in plain English. The rule behind each one always holds; the exact dates shown are for the 2026 offseason.
Offseason
NBA Draft
The draft opens the signing window for first-round picks, who slot into set rookie-scale salaries. It is the first roster move of the new league year.
Qualifying-offer deadline
Last day a team can extend a qualifying offer to make its own player a restricted free agent. Miss it and he hits the market unrestricted, with no right to match.
League year ends
The old season's books close at midnight and contracts and cap holds roll into the new league year. It is also the last day to sign this year's veteran extensions.
Negotiations open
Teams and players can start agreeing to deals, and the reported signings pour in. Nothing is binding yet: the moratorium runs until the cap is set.
Moratorium lifts, cap is set, signing begins
The league sets the official cap and tax lines, and the handshake deals become real signed contracts. A few deals can sign earlier during the moratorium: minimums, rookie-scale, two-ways, and a player taking his own qualifying offer.
Training camp opens
Camp rosters can carry up to 21 players, well over the regular-season limit, so teams audition fringe players before the cut to the season roster.
Season start
Qualifying-offer acceptance deadline
Last day a restricted free agent can accept his one-year qualifying offer, play the season on it, and reach unrestricted free agency next summer with no strings.
Rookie-scale extension deadline
Last chance for a team to extend a player still on his rookie-scale deal. Let it pass and he heads toward restricted free agency next summer.
Regular season begins, rosters set
Teams trim to a 14 or 15 man regular-season roster plus their two-way players. The cap sheet you see all season is locked in here.
Rookie-scale team-option deadline
Teams must decide whether to pick up next season's option on players in years one and two of their rookie deals. Decline it and the player can reach free agency a year early.
Midseason
Offseason signings become trade-eligible
Most players signed in the offseason cannot be traded until now, which is why the trade market stays quiet until mid-December. After this, the rumor season really opens.
10-day contracts can begin
Teams can start signing players to 10-day deals to cover injuries and open roster spots, the main path for G League and fringe players to earn an NBA look.
League-wide salary-guarantee date
Non-guaranteed contracts still on a roster lock in for the rest of the season. It is the last cheap cut-or-keep decision before the money is owed in full.
Trade restriction lifts for certain re-signed players
Some players who re-signed with a raise using Bird rights cannot be traded until now. It frees up a set of names that were off the table earlier in the winter.
Trade deadline
The last moment teams can trade for the rest of the season. After it passes, the only roster help left is the buyout market.
Stretch run
Playoff-eligibility waiver deadline
A player waived after this date cannot play in the postseason for a new team. It sets the clock on the buyout market, where contenders add veterans for the stretch run.
Regular season ends, playoff rosters lock
Final standings are set and teams head into the postseason with the rosters they have. No more signings or trades can change a playoff team.
Dates can shift year to year and are not league-official figures. Recurring deadlines like December 15 fall on the same day every season; offseason dates move a little, so the ones above are for the 2026 offseason.
See it live: pick any team and tap the numbers on its cap sheet.