2024 NBA Free Agency FAQ: Dates, Times, Players, Terms

The 2024 NBA Free Agency period features more star players this year than we have seen in recent offseasons, though most are well into their thirties. LeBron James, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden and Klay Thompson are among the top free agents, while younger players such as Tyrese Maxey and Miles Bridges also feature. There are also several key role players who could change teams, headlined by Isaiah Hartenstein, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Derrick Jones Jr.

• When does 2024 NBA Free Agency Begin?

The free agency period officially begins at 6:00 PM ET on June 30, 2024.

Teams have been allowed to negotiate with their own free agent players beginning the day after the 2024 Finals ended on Tuesday, June 18. Several teams have already agreed to new contracts during this new part of free agency such as OG Anunoby and the New York Knicks, Pascal Siakam and the Indiana Pacers, Malik Monk and the Sacramento Kings, plus extensions for Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley with the Toronto Raptors.

• When does 2024 NBA Free Agency Moratorium End?

The moratorium runs from June 30 at 6:00 PM ET until July 6 at 12:01 PM ET.

Teams and players can agree upon deals during this period, but they cannot be officially signed until the end of the moratorium. 

• What is the salary cap for the 24-25 NBA season?

The salary cap is projected to be set at $141 million.

With the NBA beginning a new set of media rights deals with the 25-26 season, the salary cap will increase by 10 percent each season for the foreseeable future. Unlike in 2016, the NBA and NBPA agreed to cap smoothing to avoid a major cap spike.

• What is the luxury tax, first apron and second apron set at for the 24-25 NBA season?

Luxury Tax: $172 million

First Apron: $179 million

Second Apron: $190 million

• Which teams have cap space?

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the free agency period with between $58 million and $61 million in realistically available cap space. 

The Detroit Pistons will have approximately $50 million in cap space after already using some of it to acquire Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second round picks from the Dallas Mavericks.

The Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs each have substantial cap space. The Charlotte Hornets used some of their available cap space to take on the contract of Reggie Jackson from the Denver Nuggets for three second round picks.

The rest of the NBA is over the cap, though some teams could create space depending on cap holds. 

• How many free agents are there this season?

There will be over 200 free agents this offseason. The NBA has trended towards offering shorter contracts to rotation players and end of the bench options, plus there are now three Two-Way contract slots instead of two. Here is a full list of free agents in this draft class with their agent of record also listed. 

• What is the difference between an unrestricted free agent and a restricted free agent?

Unrestricted free agents can sign outright with any team in the NBA. Restricted free agents can sign offer sheets with rival teams, but their incumbent team possesses the ability to match the contract to retain the player.

• What are the max contract levels?

Players with 10 or more years of service can sign for up to 35 percent of the salary cap. A starting salary at 35 percent of the cap for the 24-25 season is worth $49.4 million.

Players with seven to nine years of service can sign for up to 30 percent of the cap. A starting salary at 30 percent of the cap for the 24-25 season is worth $42.3 million.

Players with six years or less can sign for up to 25 percent of the cap. A starting salary at 25 percent of the cap for the 24-25 season is worth $35.3 million.

Players with less than 10 years of service who make an All-NBA team in a certain season qualify for a supermax extension worth 35 percent of the cap. For example, Jayson Tatum will sign a supermax extension this offseason after making an All-NBA team.

Players who sign a Designated Rookie Extension can sign for 30 percent of the cap if they make an All-NBA team. Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton qualified for a 30 percent max in the extensions they signed in 2023 by being named to the All-NBA team this past season.

• Who are the most famous NBA free agents to change teams over the years?

While Shaquille O’Neal signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency in 1996, modern NBA free agency as we know it today began when LeBron James and Chris Bosh signed with the Miami Heat in 2010. Over that 14-year period, there were very few instances of All-Star players changing teams. Tim Duncan, Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady were free agents in 2000, but Duncan re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs while Hill and McGrady joined the Magic. Kobe Bryant had a highly anticipated free agency in 2004, but re-signed with the Lakers.

Since 2010, there have been a few instances where the NBA stopped to see where a superstar free agent would sign. Dwight Howard to the Houston Rockets in 2013, LeBron returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors in 2016, LeBron to the Lakers in 2018, Durant and Kyrie Irving to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, and Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019. 

Since the NBA introduced the supermax extension, there have been far fewer instances of superstar players becoming free agency with blockbuster trades for those players a more likely outcome. The NBA essentially ended its tentpole free agency era and we now have more trades such as Durant, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Davis. 

The 2024 free agency period is unique with so many former All-Stars actually hitting free agency, though that is likely a byproduct of them being well into their 30s and not necessarily remaining at their max contract values.

• How can I stay up to date with the latest NBA Free Agency news and rumors?

NBA Free Agency Rumors page

NBA Free Agent Tracker

NBA Trade Tracker

NBA Free Agent List By Team & Year