When Does 2022 NBA Free Agency Officially Begin and End?

I remember sitting in my home office last May, watching the playoff games with a growing sense of anticipation that had little to do with the on-court action. As a basketball analyst who's covered the NBA for over a decade, I've developed this sixth sense for when the real offseason drama begins to simmer beneath the surface of these playoff games. The quote from a coach about "a little bit of anxiety coming into this basketball game, wondering if we can match-up" perfectly captures what teams experience not just during playoffs, but throughout the entire free agency period. That same anxiety permeates front offices as they prepare for what's arguably the most critical period in building a championship contender.

The 2022 NBA free agency period officially began on June 30th at 6:00 PM Eastern Time, though technically, the moratorium period meant teams and players could only negotiate verbally until July 6th. I've always found this week-long waiting period fascinating—it's like watching everyone line up at the starting blocks but having to wait for the official gunshot. During my years covering the league, I've seen how this creates both excitement and frustration among teams and players alike. The real action, when contracts could actually be signed, started on July 6th at 12:01 PM ET, though most major deals had been unofficially agreed upon days earlier through backchannel communications that have become something of an art form among general managers.

What many casual fans don't realize is how much preparation goes into this period. Teams begin their free agency planning as early as January, with scouts and analytics departments working overtime to identify potential fits. I've had general managers tell me they spend more time on free agency preparation than on the actual NBA draft, which says something about the importance placed on this period. The 2022 free agency class included some fascinating names—from Bradley Beal ultimately staying with Washington to Jalen Brunson's move to New York that created ripple effects throughout the Eastern Conference. Personally, I thought Brunson's $104 million contract was one of the smarter moves of the offseason, though I know several colleagues who disagreed with me at the time.

The official end date for 2022 free agency isn't as clearly defined as the start, which often confuses newer fans. While most major signings wrap up within the first two weeks, teams continue making moves throughout the offseason. The league technically considers free agency ongoing until the start of the regular season in October, though the flurry of activity definitely slows to a trickle after the first month. Last year, we saw notable signings as late as September, like Dennis Schröder joining the Lakers on a $2.64 million deal—a move I thought was significantly undervalued at the time given Schröder's capabilities.

Reflecting on last year's period, what stood out to me was how the financial landscape shaped decision-making. With the salary cap set at approximately $123.6 million and the luxury tax threshold at $150.3 million, teams had to be strategic about every dollar. I've noticed that the most successful organizations treat free agency not as isolated transactions but as interconnected moves that build toward something greater. The champion Denver Nuggets, for instance, made what seemed like minor moves last offseason that ultimately complemented their core perfectly—exactly the kind of thoughtful team building I always appreciate seeing.

The anxiety mentioned in that playoff quote translates perfectly to the free agency experience. General managers lie awake at night wondering if their roster can match up not just against current opponents, but against teams that haven't even finished constructing their rosters yet. Having spoken with numerous executives over the years, I can tell you that the pressure during this period is immense—one wrong contract can hamstring a franchise for years, while the right signing can transform a team from playoff participant to legitimate contender. I've always been particularly impressed with how organizations like Miami and San Antonio approach free agency—they seem to have a knack for identifying players who fit their culture, not just their statistical needs.

As we look back on the 2022 free agency period, it's clear that the moves made between June 30th and throughout that summer shaped much of what we saw in the following season. From my perspective, the most successful teams were those that balanced aggressive pursuit of stars with thoughtful additions of role players. The timeline matters, but what matters more is how teams use that timeline—the preparation before June 30th, the decisive action during the first days, and the patience to find value in the later stages. That combination of urgency and deliberation is what separates champions from the rest of the pack, and it's why I find free agency even more compelling than the draft most years.