In 2023, the NBA implemented a 65-game minimum rule for players to be eligible for major end-of-season awards. The purpose of the new rule is to discourage load management.
Many of the league's biggest stars are getting close to award ineligibility due to ongoing injuries. After missing a 14th consecutive game with a knee injury, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is on the brink of disqualification. However, Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists over 32 games.
On a recent episode of the Mind the Game podcast, LeBron James came to the defense of Jokic.
"You've got guys who are going to miss All-NBA nods because of that. You can't tell me that [Nikola] Jokic is not All-NBA all of a sudden because he's missed 30 games."
Jokic has won three Most Valuable Player awards in the last five seasons. He has earned an All-NBA selection every year since 2019.
James also explained that the new rule has financial implications.
"Even more important, we're not just talking about legacies for guys in the conversation but also for their families. If you have the opportunity to be in a contract year where you get the supermax… and you play 64 games, that can be catastrophic."
There are numerous NBA players with less than five games of leeway before facing awards ineligibility. Top names include James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson, Victor Wembanyama, and Kawhi Leonard.
Top stars that are already ineligible include Ja Morant, Joel Embiid, Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and Domantas Sabonis. Each player has earned an All-Star selection within the last three years.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander holds the top spot on the NBA's latest MVP ladder, followed by Jokic, Doncic, and Wembanyama. Looking at current trends, the 65-game eligibility rule could significantly sway the race in Gilgeous-Alexander's favor.
Overall, the 65-game minimum may end up punishing numerous stars with legitimate injuries. Many of the league's top performers are on the brink of missing All-NBA honors, some of whom may miss the threshold by a few games.
Newsweek