Rest-of-Season NBA Calendar: Key Dates and Deadlines
rest-of-season-nba-calendar-key-dates-and-deadlines
With the All-Star break in the rear-view mirror, the NBA is heading into the final stretch of the 2025-26 regular season. The league’s operations calendar is packed with cut-off points that shape roster moves and postseason eligibility. Below is a snapshot of every remaining milestone before the playoffs tip off in April.
February 28 – Contract Renegotiations
Teams with cap space have until this date to increase a current-year salary as part of an extension. No legitimate candidates remain: 29 clubs are over the cap and no Brooklyn Nets player meets the criteria.
March 1 – Waiver Deadline for Playoff Eligibility
A player must be waived on or before March 1 to appear in the postseason for a new team. For example, a player cut on March 1 and signed April 8 can suit up in the playoffs, while one waived on March 2 cannot. The rule does not apply to 10-day deals, which expire without the waiver process.
March 4 – Two-Way Contract Deadline
The current collective bargaining agreement moved the two-way signing cut-off from January 15 to March 4. Since the February 5 trade deadline, 17 players have accepted new two-way contracts. Six openings league-wide remain before the window closes.
March 10 – Disabled Player Exceptions
Clubs have through March 10 to spend any remaining disabled player exceptions (DPEs). Dallas still holds two DPEs, while Indiana ($14.1 million) and Houston ($12.5 million) headline six other teams with unused allowances. Historically, most DPEs expire unused after the trade deadline.
April 9 – Waiving Expiring or Option Contracts
Teams must release players on expiring deals—or those holding 2026-27 options—by 4:00 p.m. CT on April 9 so the players can clear waivers before the regular season concludes.
April 12 – Regular-Season Finale
The last day of the regular season serves several functions:
- Final day to sign contracts for 2025-26
- Last chance to convert two-way deals to standard contracts
- Luxury-tax calculations locked in based on salary totals
Teams with open roster spots are expected to add veterans for depth or young prospects on partially guaranteed multiyear agreements.
April 13 – Playoff Rosters
Postseason rosters must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. CT.
April 14–17 – Play-In Tournament
The seventh through tenth seeds in each conference will battle for the final two playoff berths.
April 18 – Playoffs Begin
Series play starts after a brief layoff for the top six teams in each conference, giving those clubs several days to rest and prepare.
Source: Hoops Rumors
