Report: NBA expected to scrap midnight start to free agency moratorium

Free agents reportedly won't need to wait until the middle of the night to find themselves a new home.

The NBA intends to commence its annual moratorium period at 6 p.m. ET on June 30, six hours earlier than the traditional start time of 12 a.m. ET on July 1, sources told ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

The reason for the change, Bontemps noted, is to allow players and team representatives to meet at a much more reasonable hour.

Currently, free agents must wait until midnight on July 1 to negotiate with other clubs. They can agree to terms immediately, but contracts cannot be officially signed until the moratorium is lifted at 12 p.m. ET on July 6. It's unclear if the league also intends to change the time the moratorium ends.

A number of superstar free agents are expected to attract significant interest this summer, including Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Kyrie Irving.