A key NBA rule takes effect this Wednesday, November 5, making free agents who sign standard contracts afterward ineligible to be traded this season. The three-month trade restriction applies to newly signed deals and promotions from two-way contracts. This impacts several players potentially signing soon, including Precious Achiuwa with the Kings.
The NBA's trade landscape shifts with a calendar milestone on Wednesday, November 5. According to league rules, any free agent signing a standard contract after this date will face a three-month restriction, rendering them ineligible for trades until at least February 6—after the February 5 trade deadline.
This restriction also covers players promoted from two-way to standard contracts. For instance, if a player signs on Thursday or later, their trade eligibility clock starts then, missing the deadline entirely. Precious Achiuwa, expected to sign with the Sacramento Kings on November 4 or 5, would avoid this if his deal finalizes on Tuesday, clearing his restriction on February 4 and keeping him tradable on deadline eve.
Other players nearing the end of their restrictions in late January include Indiana Pacers guard Mac McClung (January 28), New Orleans Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan (January 23), Atlanta Hawks guard Keaton Wallace (January 18), and Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (January 16). These dates assume they remain under contract.
Two-way contracts differ, with only a 30-day window. A signing as late as January 6 could still allow eligibility before the deadline, though such moves are uncommon.
This rule underscores the tight timeline for teams managing rosters ahead of the trade deadline, potentially locking in new additions for the season's remainder.