NBA Waiver Deadline Looms for Postseason Eligibility
players-waived-after-march-1-ineligible-for-playoffs
NBA players must be placed on waivers no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 1, to remain eligible to appear in this season’s playoffs with a new club. Anyone on a standard or two-way contract who is waived after that cutoff will be barred from postseason play for another team.
Exception for 10-Day Contracts and Free Agents
The rule does not affect players who are already free agents or those currently on 10-day deals. Because those contracts expire without a waiver process, the players become free agents automatically and keep their playoff eligibility. For example, guard Killian Hayes can still join a postseason roster once his 10-day pact with Sacramento ends on March 4.
Three players now on 10-day agreements that run past the deadline will remain eligible once their deals lapse:
- Rayan Rupert, Memphis (expires 3/3)
- Killian Hayes, Sacramento (expires 3/4)
- Mo Bamba, Utah (expires 3/7)
Waived Before Deadline, Free to Sign Later
Players released on or before March 1 do not have to sign immediately. Veteran guard Eric Gordon, cut by Memphis earlier this month, can wait until the final day of the regular season—April 12—and still participate in the playoffs with any team that adds him.
Moves So Far in the 2026 Buyout Market
February waivers have already placed several experienced names on new rosters, including Jevon Carter, Cam Thomas, Jeremy Sochan, and Haywood Highsmith. Forward Kyle Anderson is expected to join that group once he clears waivers this weekend and finalizes a deal with Minnesota.
Gordon, Lonzo Ball, and Chris Boucher are among the players still searching for landing spots after being released. Veteran forward Khris Middleton is viewed as a possible waiver candidate before Sunday’s deadline.
The league’s transaction wire is likely to stay active through the weekend as teams decide whether to release additional players before the cutoff.
Source: HoopsRumors
