Key Team, Player Option Dates Prior to Official Start of NBA Free Agency

The 2024 NBA free agency technically kicked off last Tuesday, one day after the Boston Celtics concluded their five-game Finals series victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Thanks to a rule in the league’s recently renegotiated CBA, teams are able to begin talking with their own free-agents-to-be ahead of the general start of free agency.

Already thus far, Indiana Pacers power forward Pascal Siakam has reportedly agreed to a four-season, $189.5 million maximum deal to stick around with the team that he helped power to the Eastern Conference Finals this past spring.

Read More: Top NBA Free Agent Off the Board, Signs New Max Deal

The 2024 Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Monk, meanwhile, inked a four-year, $78 million contract to stay with the Sacramento Kings. Presumably, further deals are on the horizon.

Per Keith Smith of Spotrac, here are several key remaining dates ahead of the general start of free agency, which tips off on Sunday, June 30 at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET.

Monday: Player Option Deadline for New York Knicks Small Forward OG Anunoby

The 26-year-old swingman has a $20 million option for 2024-25 and seems likely to decline it in search of a far more lucrative long-term deal. New York posted a 20-3 regular season record when Anunoby was healthy. In those contests, the 6-foot-7 swingman averaged 14.1 points on .488/.394/.791 shooting splits, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.5 assists, and one block. A critical 3-and-D forward capable of guarding three positions, Anunoby proved critical to New York’s push for a 50-win season. He’s a major injury risk, but his upside when available makes him somewhat worth the risk.

Monday: Golden State Warriors Center Kevon Looney’s Partially Guaranteed Contract Becomes Fully Guaranteed

Only $3 million of the $8 million owed the UCLA product in 2024-25 is guaranteed. Given Golden State’s current bloated cap situation, it seems quite likely he’ll be cut rather than kept, and become an unrestricted free agent. The 6-foot-9 big man, who’s won three titles with the team, regressed significantly last season, averaging just 4.5 points on 59.7 percent shooting from the floor, 5.7 boards and 1.8 assists across 16.1 minutes a night while losing his starting role halfway through the season to Draymond Green, whom Steve Kerr elevated to a small-ball center gig.

Tuesday: Denver Nuggets Point Guard Reggie Jackson’s Player Option Deadline

After falling out of the Nuggets’ playoff rotation en route to their first-ever championship in 2023, Jackson was somehow signed to a very generous two-season, $10.25 million deal as a free agent that summer. Playing mostly as a reserve, the 6-foot-2 vet, 33, averaged 10.3 points on a .431/.359/.806 slash line, 3.8 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.5 steals a night — and became a major defensive liability in the 2024 playoffs, in which Denver fell in the second round. He has a $5.25 million option for 2024-25, and given his lackluster postseason performance and advanced age, his market rate may be closer to a veteran’s minimum. Look for him to pick up the option.

Wednesday-Thursday: The 2024 NBA Draft

For the first time, the league is splitting its draft over two separate days, in a nod to the NFL‘s process (though the NFL‘s seven-round draft lasts three days).

Thursday: Charlotte Hornets Combo Guard Seth Curry’s Non-Guaranteed Contract Becomes Guaranteed

The 6-foot-1 marksman combo guard, a Charlotte native, is owed $4 million next season. After being acquired by the Hornets from the Dallas Mavericks late into the regular season, Curry struggled with health issues. When healthy, he averaged nine points on .441/.321/.917 shooting splits, plus two boards, 1.8 dimes and 0.6 steals a night, but he only appeared in eight games. It’s unclear how Charlotte will look to proceed with regards to the 33-year-old’s future.

Saturday: Deadline for All Other Restricted Free Agent Options, Qualifying Offers

Every other determination on a player, team, and early termination option has its key deadline here. This list is highlighted by the player options of two aging Southern California superstars: nine-time All-Star L.A. Clippers forward Paul George and 20-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. This also marks the final day clubs can tender restricted free agents qualifying offers.