The lack of salary cap space is one reason why teams such as Houston and Orlando made trades before free agency begins.
Teams are evaluating their payroll, trying to navigate the 2023 collective-bargaining agreement that puts roster limitations and severe financial penalties are high-spending teams. That’s a reason the Boston Celtics just agreed to trade Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. It’s part of a new NBA era that tries to create more competitive balance.
Still, there are opportunities for teams to make moves with the idea of improving rosters and better competing for a playoff spot or championship.
Who is going to make a push to challenge Oklahoma City’s defense of its 2025 championship? Will a team do it through free agency?
Here’s what to know about 2025 NBA free agency:
When does NBA free agency start?
It opens Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. That’s when teams and players can start agreeing to terms of a contract. However, contracts can’t officially be signed until July 6.
NBA cap space 2025
The Brooklyn Nets can have nearly $50 million in space, and the Detroit Pistons can have about $20 million in cap space. Multiple teams will have use of exceptions, such as the mid-level exception at $14.5 per season or the taxpayer mid-level exception at $5.6 million per season.
Who are the top NBA free agents?
Technically, LeBron James and James Harden can become free agents. Even if they are, they are likely to re-sign with their current teams. Dallas’ Kyrie Irving, Houston’s Fred VanVleet and Minnesota’s Naz Reid have already reached new deals with the current teams and will not be free agents.
Who are other top free agents this summer?
Julius Randle, Minnesota (unrestricted free agent)
Myles Turner, Indiana (unrestricted free agent)
Josh Giddey, Chicago (restricted agent)
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State (restricted)
What is unrestricted free agency?
Unrestricted free agents can sign with any team.
What is restricted free agency?
According to the NBA, restricted free agent “can sign an offer sheet with any team, but the player’s original team can retain him by matching the terms of that offer.”
What is the second apron?
You may hear the phrase “second apron” during free agency. What does that mean? In the 2023 CBA, the NBA and its players agreed to punitive roster and financial ramifications if a team spent more than a specified threshold.
The projected second apron threshold for 2025-26 is approximately $208 million does, and if a team is over that amount in player salary, that team does not have access to the taxpayer midlevel exception, limited use of a traded-player exception, cannot aggregate players in a trade, the first-round draft pick seven years out is frozen and cannot be traded, cannot acquire a player via sign-and trade plus financial penalties among other restrictions.
There is also a first apron which includes roster restrictions – just not as severe.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.