The real NBA season is about to begin.
All the on-court action is in the rearview, meaning the drama, trades, draft and free agent mayhem is coming into focus. For a league that thrives on those conversations, this is everything that fans and some teams have been waiting for.
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In the meantime, the party is still raging on in New York after the Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought and that puts the NBA in an interesting spot. For the first time in a long time, the Knicks are a team that everyone wants to replicate.
There’s also a chance the champions, led by Jalen Brunson, proved something else with this playoff run. Perhaps it isn’t about checking off boxes in one particular order. The Knicks showed that a champion can come in all shapes and sizes as long as the collection of talent works together.
That inspiring, movie-like run could have a dramatic impact this offseason in a league that often chases stars.
LeBron James headlines the group of free agents to be, while Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade market looms large. There are other quality players like Austin Reaves who could change teams, meaning anything can happen once free agency begins.
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More: What we’re hearing about latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks
So when does it begin? Here’s what to know about NBA free agency in 2026.
When does NBA free agency start?
NBA free agency starts on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
It’s a change the league made during the 2019 offseason that moved the start time up from 12:01 a.m. ET on July 1. Instead of a flurry of deals being revealed overnight, the change in time turned free agency into another marquee primetime event for fans.
Even though the negotiating period starts on June 30, deals cannot be signed and made official until 12:01 p.m. ET on Monday, July 6.
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Best available NBA free agents
The best available free agents before free agency likely won’t be the same after free agency. That is because player options will be accepted or declined prior to the opening bell on June 30.
Here’s a look at the five best free agents ahead of those deadlines:
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Austin Reaves, SG, Los Angeles Lakers: Player option
It’s telling that the 41-year-old James headlines the free-agent class in 2026, but it’s also a reality. NBA contracts, rule changes and more have devalued free agency in a way that has kept the biggest stars off the market. Star players are now typically traded rather than signed.
In other words, free agency is more about building depth and the roster as a whole. The transformative moves will be made in the trade market or the draft.
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NBA team needs
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Bench depth
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Detroit Pistons: No. 2 scorer; shooting off the bench; shot creators
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Los Angeles Lakers: Rim protector that would be a lob threat with Luka Doncic
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Utah Jazz: Veterans to complement AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson
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Washington Wizards: Veterans to complement AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson
What is a restricted free agent?
A restricted free agent cannot sign with another team in free agency without giving their current team the opportunity to match.
It all begins when a team extends a qualifying offer to an eligible player, therefore making them a restricted free agent. The player can choose to accept the qualifying offer, negotiate a new deal with their existing team or sign an offer sheet with a different franchise. If they elect to sign an offer sheet, the current team is given a two-day window to match the contract.
Should the team decide to match the contract, the player will remain with their team from the 2025-26 season under the same terms outlined in the offer sheet.
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If the team declines to match, they will join the offer-sheeting team, just like in traditional free agency.
There is no additional compensation if a team declines to match the offer.
What is an unrestricted free agent?
An unrestricted free agent can sign a contract with any team in free agency without going through the offer sheet process.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA free agency start date, time, best available players, team needs
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