Load management has emerged as a growing concern in the NBA in recent seasons, with star players opting for rest during the grueling 82-game schedule.
This trend has had a detrimental impact on the quality of the games and fan experience.
To address this issue, Commissioner Adam Silver and the league have implemented new measures for the upcoming season. The league office will now have more authority to combat load management and can fine teams over $1 million for each instance of violating resting rules.
Teams with two or more “star players” are required to have at least one of them play in each game, unless both are sidelined due to injury. Additionally, teams must ensure that their star players are available for nationally televised games.
Oddsmakers at BetOnline have set the Los Angeles Clippers as the favorites to be the first team to violate these rules, with odds at +200.
The Suns follow closely at +250, given their trio of star players and potential for load management. The Lakers are next at +300, while the Spurs, surprisingly, are in the top five at +500, partly due to Victor Wembanyama.
In addition to these penalties, players must participate in at least 65 regular season games to be eligible for awards such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, or All-NBA honors. This rule change would have rendered Grizzlies center Jarren Jackson Jr. ineligible for the DPOY award in the 2022-23 season, as he played in just 63 games.
