Key NBA Dates and Deadlines to Monitor in January
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Front-office activity is expected to accelerate in January as several important deadlines hit the NBA calendar. From contract guarantees to trade eligibility, the coming weeks will shape roster decisions across the league.
Non-Guaranteed Salaries Lock In
All 2025-26 non-guaranteed contracts become fully protected on January 10, but teams must waive players by January 7 for those moves to clear waivers in time. Thirty-two players currently hold non-guaranteed deals. Two-way contracts follow the same timetable; those salaries turn guaranteed if the player is still under contract on January 8.
10-Day Contracts Open on January 5
Beginning January 5, clubs may sign players to standard 10-day deals, provided they have an open spot on the 15-man roster. Before that date, 10-day contracts were allowed only through hardship exceptions, a route Indiana (seven deals for five players) and Memphis (three deals for three players) already used. Thirteen teams currently have at least one roster vacancy, a figure likely to grow after the guarantee deadline passes.
More Players Become Trade-Eligible
Twenty offseason signees will see trade restrictions lifted between now and January 31. The busiest day is January 15, when 11 players can be moved, including Bulls guard Josh Giddey. Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga headlines a group expected to draw interest as rumors intensify. Nine other players—ranging from Suns star Devin Booker to Spurs guard Keaton Wallace—gain eligibility on various dates in January. Pelicans forward Herbert Jones is viewed by rival teams as a possible target, though New Orleans is said to be demanding a significant return.
Disabled Player Exception Deadline
January 15 is also the final day for teams to request a Disabled Player Exception (DPE) for a season-ending injury. The Bulls, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, and Thunder already secured DPEs, while the Bucks and Mavericks have applications pending.
Hard-Cap Constraints Ease
Several franchises operating at (or near) the first- or second-apron hard caps will soon be able to add a minimum-salary free agent as the prorated cost drops:
January 6: Dallas Mavericks
January 7: Los Angeles Clippers
January 8: Houston Rockets
January 9: Orlando Magic
January 18: Los Angeles Lakers
The Warriors and Knicks cannot fit a minimum deal until late March and early April, respectively, unless they cut salary via trade. Separately, January 26 marks the first day the Thunder can sign a player to a prorated minimum contract without entering the luxury tax.
With roster flexibility tightening and the trade deadline approaching next month, January’s checkpoints will heavily influence how teams position themselves for the stretch run.
Source: Hoops Rumors
