Signing a free agent after Nov. 12 locks him out of trades for three months. That means anyone who inks a standard contract before the Feb. 11 deadline can’t be moved this season. So, will teams rethink mid‑season signings?
The final player to regain trade eligibility this year is veteran center Mason Plumlee, whose Kings deal was sealed on Nov. 11. In my view, Plumlee’s non‑guaranteed contract gives Sacramento flexibility. If he’s still on the roster three months later, he’ll be cleared to trade on Feb. 11, the exact day the deadline arrives.
We’ve already posted lists of free agents who won’t be trade‑eligible until Dec. 15 or Jan. 15 after offseason signings. A new roster will soon arrive, highlighting players with unique eligibility dates—including Plumlee and several who extended contracts this summer.
The three‑month ban doesn’t cover two‑way signings; those players sit out only 30 days. Though two‑way trades are rare, any player who signs such a deal by Jan. 11 will regain trade eligibility before the season’s deadline. Could this loophole spark more two‑way deals as teams scramble for roster depth?