Everything you need to know as the free agency negotiation period opens at 6 ET, while contracts can be signed on July 6.
NBA.com Staff
Recap all the news around the NBA from June 29, 2026 on The Association.
A busy summer — one that just saw 2x All-Star Ja Morant join the Blazers in a blockbuster trade — is about to get even busier.
Free agency officially begins tonight at 6 p.m. ET.
Free Agency 101: Everything you need to know about how free agency works
Names To Watch: The latest on some of John Schuhmann’s top free agents
Trade Tracker: Some of the top reported trades from a hectic week across the Association
July Hoops: What’s on-court in the month ahead with NBA Summer League & WNBA
New Arrivals: Rookies begin their NBA journeys, new coaches introduced
Ja To Blazers: The Grizzlies have traded two-time All-Star Ja Morant to the Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Read on for all the latest offseason buzz ⬇️
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final: The Liberty host the Aces tonight (7 ET, Prime) with the Commissioner’s Cup on the line in a rematch of the 2023 Cup Final and WNBA Finals.
Welcome to the NBA’s annual offseason frenzy.
Free Agency Moratorium – a period allowing teams to negotiate and reach agreements with free agents – opens today at 6 p.m. ET, commencing a week of reported deals, decisions and roster reshuffling across the league.
Before diving deeper into who’s available, it’s worth understanding how free agency works – so we’ve answered some frequently asked questions below:
What is the timeline of free agency?
What’s the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
What’s a player option and how does it differ from a team option?
There’s no shortage of star power in this year’s free agent class, from the NBA’s all-time leading scorer to established All-Stars and emerging young talent.
Check out some of John Schuhmann’s 20 intriguing free agents to watch, along with their current reported status and numbers to know:
LeBron James (LAL | UFA): In 23 NBA seasons, James has never averaged fewer than 20 ppg, extending that streak in 2025-26 (20.9 ppg) while leading the league with 5.7 fastbreak ppg at age 41.
James Harden (CLE | UFA): After being traded at midseason by the Clippers, Harden averaged 20.5 ppg for Cleveland while shooting 43.5% from 3 and posting a team-high 7.7 apg. He reportedly declined his player option for 2026-27, making him a UFA — though the Cavs & Harden are reportedly also discussing a multi-year deal.
Trae Young (WAS ↔️ WAS): The four-time All-Star averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists per game after arriving in Washington midseason. Young will reportedly return to the team on a 4-year deal.
Austin Reaves (LAL ↔️ LAL): In his fifth NBA season (all with the Lakers), Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 ppg. He reportedly plans to stay in Los Angeles on a 4-year maximum contract.
Norman Powell (MIA | UFA): Powell has averaged 21+ ppg in each of the last two seasons. In 2025-26 – his first year with Miami – he earned his first All-Star nod, leading the Heat in points (21.7) and made 3s (2.7) per game.
Jalen Duren (DET | RFA): Duren, 22, also earned his first All-Star nod last season, averaging a career-best 19.5 ppg while helping lead Detroit to the No. 1 seed in the East and its first 60-win season in 20 years.
Some Other Notable Free Agents
Some Other Notable Reported Agreements/Returns
A flurry of reported trade activity surrounding the 2026 NBA Draft has continued into this week, with more big names in the mix.
With six days of moratorium remaining until deals can be finalized (July 6, 12:01 p.m. ET), here are the latest reported and official trades to know. | John Schuhmann on 4 early trades
Heat reportedly land Giannis
Blazers trade for Ja Morant
Nets reportedly get Julius Randle in three-team deal
Wolves reportedly add LaMelo Ball
Grizzlies reportedly get Isaiah Stewart
Suns reportedly acquire Miles Bridges
As the offseason gets underway, here are some key dates to know for the Summer League circuit and beyond:
California Classic (July 3-6): The California Classic Summer League in San Francisco (Chase Center) and Sacramento (Golden 1 Center) features the Warriors, Lakers, Heat, Spurs and more, and tips off with a doubleheader Friday. | Schedule
Salt Lake City (July 4, 6-7): The Salt Lake City Summer League at Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus features the Jazz, Hawks, Grizzlies and Thunder and starts with a Saturday doubleheader. | Schedule
NBA Summer League In Las Vegas (July 9-19): NBA Summer League 2026 tips off a week from Thursday, with all 30 teams competing at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center and The Pavilion. Games run daily through July 19 on Prime and ESPN networks. (Schedule)
WNBA
A week after hearing their names called on Draft night, the NBA’s newest rookies are beginning their next chapters, arriving in their new cities and meeting their new fan bases.
That includes No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, who received a warm welcome upon arriving in D.C. before embracing the challenge ahead at his introductory press conference.
One of the first decisions every rookie makes is choosing a jersey number. For Dybantsa, changing from No. 3 at BYU to No. 4 with the Wizards came down to simple math.
Dybantsa wasn’t the only top pick making a first impression. Other top picks offered a glimpse of what’s to come, from Darryn Peterson’s Kobe-inspired mindset to Caleb Wilson’s rookie ambitions.
Two new NBA coaches were also recently introduced. Blazers coach Micah Nori was introduced last Thursday, while new Mavs coach Dusty May outlined his vision for Dallas.
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The former All-Star guard is headed to Portland in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
The sharp-shooting reserve guard returns to New York on a 4-year deal after helping the Knicks capture the 2026 NBA title.
Reports emerge Monday afternoon that swingman Kevin Huerter plans to sign a three-year deal for $27 million with Detroit.
Reports emerge Monday that Kristaps Porziņģis will re-sign with the Warriors on a two-year deal worth $40 million.
The former All-Star guard is headed to Portland in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
The sharp-shooting reserve guard returns to New York on a 4-year deal after helping the Knicks capture the 2026 NBA title.
Reports emerge Monday afternoon that swingman Kevin Huerter plans to sign a three-year deal for $27 million with Detroit.
Reports emerge Monday that Kristaps Porziņģis will re-sign with the Warriors on a two-year deal worth $40 million.
Keep track of every move during the 2026 NBA offseason.
The Salary Cap and Tax Level go into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wed., July 1.
Veteran forward stays put in Sacramento on a reported 2-year deal.
From a 2020 NBA title to countless milestones, LeBron's Lakers legacy ranks among the greatest ever. And now it comes to an end.
Toronto reportedly is nearing a deal to acquire the 2-time Finals MVP in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and future Draft picks.
Atlanta keeps its reserve big man in the mix on a reported 1-year deal.
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