Key NBA Roster and Contract Deadlines Coming in October
nba-october-2025-roster-contract-deadlines
The NBA’s traditionally quiet offseason gives way to a busy October, as teams face a series of hard deadlines that will shape rosters and contracts for the 2025/26 campaign.
Regular-season roster cut-off
The regular season opens on Tuesday, October 21. Clubs must trim their squads to a maximum of 15 standard contracts and three two-way deals by 4:00 p.m. Central Time on Monday, October 20. Many franchises are expected to complete final cuts by Saturday, October 18, the last day to waive a fully non-guaranteed player without owing salary.
Because players receive pay during the two-day waiver period, releasing a non-guaranteed player on October 20 would still cost two days of salary. Teams planning to part ways with partially or fully guaranteed players can wait until October 20, as the guaranteed amount is owed regardless. For example, if Brooklyn waives Jalen Wilson and his $88,075 partial guarantee, the payout is identical whether the move comes on October 20 or 22. Cutting non-guaranteed guard Tyrese Martin on October 20, however, would add a $25,194 cost—two-174ths of his $2,191,897 salary—so the Nets would likely move sooner.
Two-way contract conversions
Exhibit 10 deals can become two-way contracts up to October 20. If an Exhibit 10 player remains on the roster past that date without being converted, the agreement turns into a standard non-guaranteed contract. Most Exhibit 10 signings will be waived by October 18; players still standing after that day are prime candidates for conversion or even a 15-man spot.
Extension deadlines
Rookie-scale extensions must be finalized by Monday, October 20, at 5:00 p.m. CT. Five of the 22 eligible players have already signed, one has been waived, and 16—including Dyson Daniels, Christian Braun, Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, and Keegan Murray—remain in talks. In each of the past four offseasons, at least 11 rookie-scale extensions were completed.
Veteran extension rules vary. Players in the final year of a contract—such as Houston’s Kevin Durant—may sign at any point until June 30, 2026. Those who are extension-eligible but not in a contract year—like Miami guard Tyler Herro, who has two guaranteed seasons left—must agree to new terms by October 20 or wait until next summer. Veterans holding 2026/27 options, including Atlanta’s Trae Young, stay extension-eligible after opening night if the option is formally declined as part of the new deal.
Salary guarantee triggers
The league-wide guarantee date is January 7, 2026; non-guaranteed contracts become fully protected if a player is not waived and clear waivers by January 10. Several players have earlier triggers at the start of the regular season, among them Philadelphia’s Adem Bona, Milwaukee’s Andre Jackson Jr., and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate.
Rookie-scale team options
Teams must pick up or decline 2026/27 third- or fourth-year options on rookie contracts by Friday, October 31. The Bulls, Heat, and Suns have already acted, and the Bucks have no options to address. The remaining 26 organizations have four weeks to lock in those decisions. Declining an option sends the player to unrestricted free agency next summer and caps the current team’s offer at the option value, while rivals can bid higher.
The rapid succession of deadlines over the next four weeks ensures front offices will be busy finalizing rosters, extensions, and option calls before the 2025/26 season officially tips off.
Source: Hoops Rumors
