The NBA and National Basketball Players Association reached an agreement this week that will shorten the free agent moratorium to five days. This year’s free agency moratorium will last from July 1st-6th. Free agent contracts can now be signed much sooner after verbal agreements are reached as a result of the accord.
The moratorium was to run through July 11th for this summer and next prior to Thursday’s agreement, so this speeds up the free agency process by nearly a week. The moratorium period gives the NBA a chance to audit its finances, project next season’s revenue and set salary cap levels. Those salary cap levels determine crucial financial items such as maximum and minimum player salaries, the luxury tax threshold, and signing tools such as the mid-level exception.
Last offseason’s moratorium lasted until July 9th. Controversy arose over DeAndre Jordan‘s late switch during his unrestricted free agency. Jordan made a verbal agreement with the Mavericks, then changed his mind and remained with the Clippers, thanks in part to some heavy lobbying from his Los Angeles teammates. A shorter free agency period will make it more difficult for such flip-flops to take place once a verbal agreement is reached.
Here’s more from the week that was…
Signings
- Nate Robinson agreed to a deal with Israel’s Hapoel Tel Aviv.
- The Nuggets signed Axel Toupane to a second 10-day contract.
- The Timberwolves signed Greg Smith to a second 10-day contract.
- The Grizzlies signed Ray McCallum to a 10-day deal.
- The Grizzlies signed Alex Stepheson to a 10-day contract.
- The Grizzlies signed Xavier Munford to a 10-day deal.
- The Bucks signed Jared Cunningham to a 10-day deal.
- The Clippers signed Jeff Ayres for the remainder of the season.
- The Pelicans signed Tim Frazier to a 10-day deal.
- The Knicks signed Tony Wroten to multiyear contract.
- The Nets signed Henry Sims to a 10-day contract.
- The Pistons signed Lorenzo Brown to a 10-day contract.
- The Celtics signed Coty Clarke to a second 10-day deal.
- The Suns signed Alan Williams to a multiyear contract.
You can stay up to date on all the 10-day deals handed out with our 10-day contract tracker.
Miscellaneous News
- Clippers rookie Branden Dawson was arrested on felony domestic violence charges.
- Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley is expected to miss three to four weeks of action due to Achilles tendinitis.
- Mavericks small forward Jeremy Evans underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will miss the remainder of the 2015/16 campaign as a result.
- Seton Hall shooting guard Isaiah Whitehead reportedly intends to enter the 2016 NBA Draft.
D-League News
- Christian Wood returned to the D-League affiliate of the Sixers following the early termination of his 10-day contract.
- The Raptors‘ D-League affiliate announced that Ronald Roberts Jr. will miss the rest of the season with a right knee injury.
You can stay up to date on all the D-League assignments and recalls for the season here.