Key Dates and Schedule Going Into the 2025 NBA Offseason

The 2024-25 season of the NBA is nearly over with only two teams remaining in the playoffs, who will compete for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The rest of the 28 teams are already starting to prepare for the long offseason, and ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently revealed the key dates and schedules that are to come.

One of the biggest questions going into this offseason is where will Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo land, or will they end up staying where they are and run it back one more time? Durant will most likely not remain in Arizona, but many reports suggest the Antetokounmpo on the other hand, could play for the same team next season. Other hot topics going into the offseason is obviously the Lakers’ need for lengthy front court players, and not to forget the Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga situation. The Boston Celtics will also likely lose one of their key pieces from their 2024 championship core, and the toss up is between Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.

Some teams have already made major moves like how the New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, and the Suns getting rid of their head coach Mike Budenholzer, their third firing in three years. There are certainly a lot of questions, and ESPN’s Shams Charania has already called this upcoming offseason, potentially “the craziest ever.” Expect big changes to come, and by the time the 2025-26 NBA season starts, nothing will be the same.

Also Read: “Anthony Edwards Has a Shoe” Noah Lyles Criticizes Adidas and Addresses Misconceptions About Track and Field in America

Important Dates and Schedule for the 2025 NBA Offseason

June 15, 2025

• The deadline for non-college players to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft is June 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. After this day they can no longer remove their names and must stay in the draft if they’ve declared as early entrants.

TBD (first day after the NBA Finals)

• Teams have the liberty to begin negotiating with their own free agents.

June 25-26, 2025

• 2025 NBA Draft

June 29, 2025

• Last day for a team or a player option to be exercised, and also the final day for a player to receive a qualifying offer.

June 30, 2025

• Free Agent negotiations can begin with players that are not from their own team.

July 1, 2025

• First round selections from the 2025 Draft can sign contracts.
• Minimum contracts can sign (two years or less).
• Restricted free agent can sign an offer sheet.
• Third-Fourth year rookie options can be exercised.
• Offer Sheets can be extended to players.
• Restricted free agents can sign an offer sheet.
• Two-way contracts can be signed and converted.

July 6, 2025

• Teams are allowed to sign free agents.
• Trades can become official.
• Rookie and veteran contracts can be extended.
• Clock on offer sheet can also be commenced.

July 5, 7,8, 2025

• Utah Summer League.

July 6-9, 2025

• California Summer League.

July 10-20, 2025

• NBA 2K Las Vegas Summer League.

July 13, 2025

• Last day to withdraw a qualifying offer.

August 29, 2025

• Last day to use the waive and stretch provision.

September 2025

• Training camp begins for teams playing outside North America.

September 30, 2025

• Training camp begins for teams not playing outside North America.

October 18, 2025

• Final day to waive a player on a non-guaranteed contract and avoid the salary cap charge.

October 20, 2025

• Last date to sign a rookie or veteran extension.
• Last day a player can sign a designated veteran extension.
• Rosters set for NBA opening day.
• Last day to sign-and-trade a free agent.
• Last day where an exhibit 10 contract can be converted to a two-way.

October 21, 2025

• Commencement of 2025-26 NBA Regular Season.

October 31, 2025

• Third-and-fourth year team options on rookie contracts must be exercised.

Also Read: Year of First-Timers? Can Indiana Pacers Follow RCB, PSG, and Other Sports Teams to Win Their First NBA Championship?