The NBA is attempting to get back on its normal calendar heading into the 2021-22 season to hopefully achieve a more normal pace in the 82-game schedule.
The draft has already been scheduled for July 29, and now free agency is scheduled to begin a few days later on August 2. The moratorium will last until August 6, when new contracts can officially be inked. That essentially mimics the regular timeline of the draft taking place during the last week of June with free agency opening on July 1.
This new date would still give players plenty of time to settle in with their new teams before starting the season in October.