NBA Expected to Start Free Agency Moratorium Period Earlier

The NBA currently starts its free agency moratorium period on July 1 at midnight.

The NBA will is planning to start free agency a few hours earlier, the league announced.

The league is moving up the start its moratorium period, the time when players can negotiate deals with teams but not sign to make them official. It currently begins at midnight ET on July 1 and represents the start of free agency. The start time has been moved up to 6 p.m. ET on June 30 so teams can begin negotiations at a more reasonable hour.

The change will take effect this offseason.