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Decision day arrives for NBA players on non-guaranteed deals

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated Jan 7, 2026 12:58 PM ET

Around the NBA, January 7 is the real decision day.

While the league’s official salary guarantee date falls on January 10, teams with players on non-guaranteed contracts know what today represents. Cut a player by this afternoon, and the money stays flexible. Wait too long, and the full salary locks in.

The rule is simple and was detailed by Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors. If a player on a non-guaranteed deal is still on waivers as of Jan. 10, his salary becomes fully guaranteed. To avoid that, teams must place him on waivers by 5 p.m. EST today, allowing the process to clear by Friday.

A few moves have already happened.

The Pacers waived center Tony Bradley on Monday. The Raptors followed by cutting Mo Bamba on Tuesday. More could come before the deadline, though many players on non-guaranteed deals appear safe.

Some have earned it. As Adams wrote, the Hornets aren’t moving on from Moussa Diabate, who has been starting. The Mavericks aren’t cutting Brandon Williams after his game-winner vs. the Kings. Those are examples of players who’ve turned opportunity into rotation minutes.

Today also matters for two-way players. The same guarantee rule applies, meaning anyone still under contract after today receives their full two-way salary — $636,435 for players signed since opening night, prorated for those added later.

A few two-way cuts have already happened, including Bulls guard Trentyn Flowers on Tuesday. There could be more, though teams face less urgency there since two-way deals don’t affect the cap or trade deadline flexibility.

Per Adams, here is the full team-by-team list: