Free Agents Who Sign After Wednesday Barred From Trades This Season
SLUG: free-agents-signing-after-wednesday-trade-restriction
A pivotal date on the NBA calendar arrives this Wednesday, Nov. 5. Any free agent who signs a standard contract on or after that day will be unable to be traded for the rest of the 2024-25 season, the result of the league’s mandatory three-month trade restriction on newly signed standard deals.
The same three-month rule covers players elevated from two-way agreements to standard roster spots. Because the 2025 trade deadline is set for Feb. 5, a player whose standard contract is executed Thursday, Nov. 6, or later would remain ineligible to move until Feb. 6—one day past the deadline—effectively locking him onto his new team for the remainder of the season.
Example: Achiuwa’s Timing
Forward Precious Achiuwa is expected to finalize a deal with the Sacramento Kings early this week. If the paperwork is completed Tuesday, Nov. 4, his restriction would lift on Feb. 4, keeping him eligible for last-minute trade discussions.
Other Players Near the Cutoff
Several recently signed free agents will see their own trade moratoriums expire shortly before the deadline, assuming they remain under contract:
- Mac McClung, Indiana Pacers – eligible Jan. 28
- DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans Pelicans – eligible Jan. 23
- Keaton Wallace, Atlanta Hawks – eligible Jan. 18
- Russell Westbrook, Sacramento Kings – eligible Jan. 16
Shorter Window for Two-Way Contracts
The tighter restriction does not apply to two-way contracts, which carry a 30-day trade limitation. A player who signs a two-way deal as late as Jan. 6 would still be eligible to be moved before Feb. 5, a scenario that remains uncommon but possible.
Source: Hoops Wire
