The NBA has implemented new resting rules for Star players. This will impact multiple teams around the league.
This rule states that teams can no longer rest more than one-star player per game.
Breaking: The NBA Board of Governors approved new rules strengthening resting policy rules and punishments for star players that include national TV games, in-season tournament games and sitting out multiple All-Stars together in regular season games, sources told @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/8EpTfegxGO
— ESPN (@espn) September 13, 2023
Teams will also be prohibited from resting even one-star player for national TV games or in-season tournament games.
The NBA has implemented this rule to crack down on load management across the league.
Fans have complained about the lack of stars playing and missing out on crucial games, affecting fans’ desire to enjoy said games. The team that will be most affected by this new rule is none other than the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers have enjoyed load-managing both Paul George and Kawhi Leanord through the regular season since acquiring both in 2019.
Under this new rule, if the Clippers were to make up an injury to keep Leonard and George out, they would be subject to league investigation. They will also be forbidden to rest either star for national TV or in-season tournament games, just like the rest of the league. The penalty for resting stars will be $100,000 for the first offense, $250,000 for the second, and $1 million more than the previous penalty for each additional fine.
Under this new rule, the Chicago Bulls have three players who qualify: Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan.
This means that no combination of two of these three players can be rested on the same night, and not a single one can rest for national TV games.
Of course, if a legitimate injury is involved, another star can rest (e.g., If DeRozan is injured, LaVine or Vucevic will be permitted to rest, but not both).
However, there is one exception, and luckily for the Bulls, DeRozan qualifies for this exception. Teams can seek preapproved load management for stars 35 and older by opening night, who have played more than 34,000 minutes, and NBA players who have played a combined 1,000 career regular season and playoff games. Seven NBA players qualify: Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Chris Paul, James Harden, Mike Conley, and DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan qualifies for this exception since he has played in over 1,000 games in his career. Teams must seek preapproval from the NBA to rest these qualifying players.
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