In today’s NBA, the 2025 NBA offseason is going to be an amazing time for team-building and player-movement. Those critical deadlines and contract details will very much shape the league’s landscape. Clubs are flexing their money muscles with big deals to prove they’re savvy operators in preparation for the new season. Brandon Williams on the Dallas Mavericks and Andre Jackson Jr on the Milwaukee Bucks are shining examples of this phenomenon. Upcoming key dates in June including the NBA Draft and Free Agency will determine player movements, contract negotiations and possible roster changes for all thirty teams.
As teams strategize for the future, the financial commitments of various players will play a significant role in shaping their decisions. For example, the Dallas Mavericks’ Brandon Williams currently has a contract worth between $0 and $200,000. This rather paltry sum should give the Mavericks all kinds of room to maneuver in their overall salary cap strategy. Andre Jackson Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks, above, has received the largest guaranteed contract at $2,546,675. This agreement further emphasizes his indispensable importance to the future success of the squad.
Milwaukee’s roster is filled with young stars on expensive contracts. Bobby Portis sticks out with a significant deal totaling $13,445,754. His contract reflects his importance to the team as they aim for a competitive edge in the upcoming season. Further, the Minnesota Timberwolves roster includes many other players with large contracts. That’s not enough to have Julius Randle lead the team, with $32,408,640, followed closely by Naz Reid at $15,022,464. Luka Garza and Josh Minott make that number likely to stay low even further, each coming in on contracts worth $2,349,578 and $2,187,451 respectively.
Important Deadlines Loom
With June almost upon us, a number of key deadlines will color the landscape of potential player movement and 2024 contract negotiations. The non-college players early entry entrant withdrawal deadline is June 15. This deadline will shape which of these players continue to be eligible as that NBA Draft approaches over June 25-26. Teams will be intensely watching what players decide as they build their own rosters for next season.
June 29 is a pretty important date, for teams and players alike. Today is the last day allowed for exercising options on contracts. Players only have one more opportunity to get a Qualifying Offer. This choice can have a huge effect on their immediate future with their current organization and help determine their long-term worth on the open market when free agency arrives.
Free Agency Begins
That enthusiasm carries on through late June with the opening of free agency period signings. Beginning on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, teams can start talking to players. These players for one reason or another are still not signed with any team. This is arguably the most exciting time of the offseason as teams hope to improve their talent pools with smart signings and impactful trades.
There are a number of appealing players who figure to attract heavy demand in this window. Elfrid Payton, New Orleans Pelicans, $3,153,598. For page 90, PJ Tucker, (currently/potentially) of the New York Knicks, has a contract of $3,468,960 and Ariel Hukporti has a contract of $1,955,377. The decisions reached in these negotiations have the potential to significantly change competitive dynamics throughout the league.
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