The new NBA 65-game rule for awards: How it affects players' wallets

The NBA has introduced a new rule stating that players must participate in at least 65 regular season games to be eligible for individual awards such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA honours.

Eligibility criteria:.

Beginning with the 2023-24 season, a player is eligible if he has participated in at least 65 regular season games.
Alternatively, if a player has played at least 62 games, suffers a season-ending injury and has played at least 85% of his team's games prior to the injury, he may also be eligible.

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Important considerations:.

The rule seeks to encourage star player participation and place emphasis on the regular season.
Participation in a match is defined as playing at least 20 minutes, with the possibility of counting two matches in which at least 15 minutes were played to reach the 65-match limit.

Economic impact:.

The rule can significantly affect players' future contracts, especially in relation to supermaximum extensions, which can represent millions of dollars in difference.

Examples of affected players:.

Several elite players, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, would not have been eligible for awards under the new rule last season.
Players like Bam Adebayo, De'Aaron Fox and Jamal Murray could lose millions on their next contracts if they don't reach the 65-game mark.

Procedures for regaining eligibility:.

Procedures are in place for players to attempt to regain eligibility if they do not reach the 65-game threshold.
Clear and convincing evidence is required that the team intentionally limited the player's minutes or games to deprive him of eligibility.
Injury-related claims are allowed, but with strict criteria.

Players' opinions:.

Some players express their disagreement with the rule, arguing that a specific number of matches should not be necessary to be recognized.
Other players, such as Joel Embiid, prioritize playoff performance over individual awards and are willing to accept the rule.

Conclusion:

The rule has generated debate among players and fans, highlighting the importance of finding a balance between player workload, competitive integrity and fan satisfaction.