What happened: Monday at 5pm ET marks the deadline for NBA player and team options to be exercised for the 2026-27 season. More than 50 players still have outstanding decisions as the cutoff approaches. Among the notable names are Draymond Green and James Harden on player options, with Jonathan Kuminga holding a team option.

Why it matters: Option decisions shape both team payrolls and free-agency plans heading into the offseason. A player declining an option enters the market, while a team turning one down can clear salary; each choice ripples through cap space, tax position, and roster construction. With this many decisions pending so close to the deadline, multiple rosters could look different within hours.

What to watch: Watch which players opt in to lock in guaranteed money versus those who decline to test free agency before the 5pm ET cutoff. The resolved options will set the board for the rest of the offseason.