What is the July Moratorium?
It is a period during the month of July in which teams may not sign most free agents or make trades. Free agents become free on July 1, but the salary cap is not set until the audit report is completed later in the month. Teams and players must wait for the salary cap to be set before trades and most free agent signings can commence. Teams may negotiate with free agents beginning July 1, but they have to wait until the moratorium ends before signing a contract.
It is a period during the month of July in which teams may not sign most free agents or make trades. Free agents become free on July 1, but the salary cap is not set until the audit report is completed later in the month. Teams and players must wait for the salary cap to be set before trades and most free agent signings can commence. Teams may negotiate with free agents beginning July 1, and may even agree to terms, but they have to wait until the moratorium ends before signing a contract. When the CBA was signed, the July Moratorium was intended to last the entire month of July in every season. However, in 2001 the NBA and Players Union agreed to shorten the moratorium, in order to allow contract issues and personnel matters to be resolved sooner. The dates for the July Moratorium are now as follows: Season July Moratorium Players may be signed beginning 01-02 July 1, 2001 through July 17, 2001 July 18, 2001 02-03 July 1, 2002 through July 16, 2002 July 17, 2002 03-04 July 1, 2003 thr
