NBA and NBAPA agree to move up free agency moratorium start time

The league and players association announced an agreement to move up the start time of NBA Free Agency Moratorium to 6:00 p.m. EST on June 30.

An announcement by the NBA and NBPA delighted the writing team at Thunderous Intentions who are already preparing for the OKC Thunder free agency period. The news perhaps makes more of a dent for teams located in the East or middle of the country, although it should have wide sweeping effects.

NBA Free Agent Moratorium moved up:

At least from this scribe’s perspective, it’s a welcome change and may not change much other than offering an earlier six hour writing window. Every year prior to the moratorium I stockpile energy drinks and coffee. Then as the clock nears the Cinderella Moratorium bewitching hour, assume a comfortable seat awaiting the copious Woj Bombs (Adrian Wojnarowski) and other top NBA twitter personalities like Shams Charania who leak the new deals.

Starting this season the two entities (NBA and NBAPA: players association) have agreed to begin free agent talks six hours earlier than the previous timeframe.

Previously teams could legally begin their talks at 12:01 of July 1st so this change pushes the clock back to 6 p.m. June 30. Perhaps it’s just semantics given how recent events have gone down. Thinking back to last season, a slew of announcements were released just at or prior to the deadline including news Paul George would be returning to play alongside Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder.

Player to player recruitment unaffected:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Players and teams who already have a relationship aren’t affected as much as players who plan on meeting with new recruiting teams. That’s because it’s natural for parties already aligned to be in discussion about re-signing. The greater impact is meant for players and recruiting teams who can now schedule meetings without bringing their Cinderella (in reverse) slippers.

Truthfully, I don’t think this changes much. Last year the Lakers and Magic Johnson were fined for “tampering” due to public comments attempting to lure players (in this case our own Paul George). Yet, it seems these negotiations occur behind the scenes regardless.

The  Clippers had a member of their management team attend 75 percent of all Kawhi Leonard games this season. While that can be written off as scouting the true intention is to demonstrate interest. Likewise, there is nothing in place to stop players from talking. And, there is no way to police it – peers will talk regardless. They might not all publicize it like LeBron James writing buddy Brian Windhorst did this week but it’s happening.

At the end of the day, this move only serves to shed six hours from the hidden talks and allow them to occur publicly. And, of course, it means Woj Bombs should be expected to arrive while it’s still light outside.

OKC Thunder effect:

For the OKC Thunder, it might not move the needle much. The team does have free agent business to attend to such as decisions to be made on Nerlens Noel (expected to exercise his player option), Markieff Morris, Raymond Felton and Deonte Burton (Restricted).

But, there are not large contract scenarios in play as there have been the past four seasons. Sam Presti will more likely take his time with these decisions. Noel and Morris may be a moot point anyway as their contracts could be too rich for the team given the cap situation.

Regardless, I’ll still stock up on coffee and energy drinks and oddly miss that bewitching hour.