The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) today announced that free agency will begin earlier this year, allowing more time for deals to be negotiated.
2019 FREE AGENCY: Who's available in this loaded class?
Teams and players will now be able to begin negotiations from 6:00pm ET on June 30, six hours earlier than the previous start time of 12:01am ET on July 1.
Teams will also be allowed to communicate with free agents and their representatives from 6:00pm ET on June 29 in order to schedule meetings to take place at or after 6:00pm ET on June 30. Free agents cannot officially sign contracts until 12:00pm ET on July 6.
The increased window for free agency is set to create even more buzz in the NBA off-season given the host of star players who could potentially be on the move.
Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard headline a star-studded list of players headed for free agency, alongside the likes of Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Khris Middleton and more.