More news about the NBA’s coronavirus-impacted calendar was released Saturday as the league circulated a memo on the dates of the NBA’s annual signing moratorium and free agency signing periods, according to the Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds.
The memo relates that teams will be allowed to speak to free agents two days after the recently-announced date of the 2020 NBA Draft, which will take place on the 16th of October.
The moratorium begins at 12:01 PM ET on October 19th, continuing until noon on October 23rd, with teams being allowed to negotiate with free agents six hours in advance of that deadline, as has been the case in previous seasons.
NBA transaction window set so Celts, other teams can make roster moves https://t.co/Ave0lbc9DA via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 20, 2020
The first two-thirds of October could be one of the busiest chunks of any NBA season calendar in history.
The 2020 NBA Draft early entry withdrawal date is set for October 6th, and a potential Game 7 of the 2020 NBA Finals at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida could potentially fall as late as October 13th.
Following this, the draft itself is on the 16th, with the moratorium starting just days later.
Key dates for NBA offseason come into focus as early entry window set https://t.co/TOLCsbHOTk via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 20, 2020
Rules about replacement players were also clarified by the memo.
“Starting July 1 and going through the end of the seeding games, expected to be Aug. 14, substitute players can be signed to take the place of someone who falls into those categories,” explained Reynolds. “If a player tests positive for coronavirus after the seeding games end, teams would still be allowed to replace them — but only with someone who has three years or less of NBA service.”
Teams with open roster spots will also begin being able to sign open roster spots as soon as this Tuesday, and may continue doing so until June 30th.