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Proposed NBA rule change won’t directly affect New York Knicks if approved

By Jordanna Clark

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 26: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks moves the ball up the court during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 26, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 26: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks moves the ball up the court during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 26, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks could benefit from Jalen Brunson not being named an All-Star this past season. The point guard deserved to represent New York in Salt Lake City, but Julius Randle was the only Knick to play in the All-Star Game.

As New York continues its pursuit of a star, the NBA will vote this week on a proposed policy prohibiting teams from resting multiple star players in the same game. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported (subscription required) that a star is considered a player who has made an All-NBA or All-Star team in the past three seasons.

By that definition, the Knicks have only one star, and that star was on pace to play in all 82 regular season games last season before he sprained his ankle in late March.

Tom Thibodeau doesn’t believe in load management, so while New York could be affected by the proposed rule change, the team won’t have to worry about being penalized.

NBA board of governors set to vote on rule change that wouldn’t directly affect Knicks

Two teams come to mind: the Lakers and the Clippers. In his 20th season, LeBron James played 55 games last season, while Anthony Davis played 56. Paul George played 56 and Kawhi Leonard played 52.

Davis, George, and Leonard have an extensive injury history, so if the policy change is implemented, the Los Angeles teams will have to cough up a considerable amount of money if the rules are enforced.

Excluding NBA TV, the Lakers have 27 nationally televised games, and the Clippers have 12. New York will play the Lakers on ABC on Feb. 3 at Madison Square Garden, and Los Angeles is set to face Boston at TD Garden two nights before.

While it makes sense for the NBA to try to combat load management, it will be difficult to enforce the proposed rules if they are approved. This is more of a small-term solution directed toward teams that will often be on national television, such as the Lakers.

The Knicks are slated to have 20 nationally televised games on ESPN, ABC, and TNT this season. If the rule changes are approved and the Knicks trade for a star sometime in 2023-24, then James Dolan will have to worry about the strict financial implications.

The board of governors will vote on the proposed changes on Wednesday, and it will be interesting to find out the results.

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