NBA Teams Face Contract, Extension and Roster Deadlines on Eve of 2025-26 Season
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The NBA’s final offseason day arrives Monday, Oct. 20, and clubs must decide on a series of contract extensions and roster moves before the 2025-26 regular season tips off Tuesday.
Rookie-scale extension cutoff
Fourteen members of the 2022 draft class remain eligible to sign rookie-scale extensions until 5:00 p.m. CT. The list includes:
Ochai Agbaji (Raptors); Malaki Branham (Wizards); Christian Braun (Nuggets); Dyson Daniels (Hawks); Ousmane Dieng (Thunder); Jalen Duren (Pistons); Tari Eason (Rockets); Jaden Ivey (Pistons); Walker Kessler (Jazz); Bennedict Mathurin (Pacers); Jeremy Sochan (Spurs); Dalen Terry (Bulls); Peyton Watson (Nuggets); Mark Williams (Suns).
Six players—Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Keegan Murray and Nikola Jovic—have already signed new contracts, and Shaedon Sharpe’s agreement is scheduled to be finalized Monday.
Veteran extension window narrows
Veterans who signed their current deals at least two years ago (or three years for a five-year pact) can also extend through 10:59 p.m. CT. Beginning Tuesday, only those on expiring contracts will remain eligible until next July.
Players whose multiyear deals prevent further talks after Monday include RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, Donte DiVincenzo, Darius Garland, Josh Green, Tyler Herro, DeAndre Hunter, Cameron Johnson, Keldon Johnson, Nikola Jokic, John Konchar, Kyle Kuzma, Ja Morant, Aaron Nesmith, Jordan Poole, Michael Porter Jr., Max Strus, Karl-Anthony Towns, Grant Williams and Zion Williamson.
Jokic is widely expected to wait until 2026 for a richer deal, while Herro and Nesmith are viewed as the strongest extension candidates among the group.
Roster limits take effect
Teams must trim to 15 standard contracts, plus up to three two-way slots, by 4:00 p.m. CT. Most clubs made their cuts over the weekend, but the Bucks still need to release 2024 second-rounder Tyler Smith to reach the limit.
Monday also marks the deadline to convert Exhibit 10 deals into two-way contracts. Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara is the lone remaining Exhibit 10 player eligible for a conversion, though he is expected to secure a standard roster spot to keep New York under the hard cap.
Last chance for 2025-26 sign-and-trades
The league’s calendar also closes the window for sign-and-trade acquisitions in the 2025-26 league year. No transactions of that type are currently anticipated.
The NBA regular season begins Tuesday night.
Source: Hoops Rumors
