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When the NBA Summer League takes place this month, it will be a testing ground for two new things the league could implement down the road.
According to NBA Public Relations, the two things set to be tested are a new free throw rule, dubbed the “One Free Throw Rule,” and a “connected basketball.”
The former rule has been implemented in the NBA G League since the 2019-2020 season.
Here’s more information on that and the “connected basketball.”
MORE: Celtics made a big mistake with Jaylen Brown trade
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots a free throw in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Here is the breakdown of what the One Free Throw Rule entails:
“With this rule, any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free throw attempt. That attempt will be worth the same total number of points as the free throws it replaces,” the league said.
MORE: NBA insider reveals LeBron James decision timeline
As mentioned in the bullet points, the rule is designed to improve the flow of the game.
It would certainly amount to a radical change for the NBA and we’re not sure it makes a big enough dent in the length of a game to be worth it.
That said, clearly there’s at least a chance it succeeds with how long it has stuck in the G League.
What the NBA really needs to shorten is the length of the season, but that’s another discussion for another day.
The Connected Basketball features an embedded sensor inside the ball. Here’s the rundown and why the league wants to implement it:
This change isn’t anywhere near as drastic a change as the free throw rule, so it has a much better chance of actually being implemented.
It’s also a useful tool to have if it helps better determine who touched the ball last when it goes out of bounds.
Continue reading...
According to NBA Public Relations, the two things set to be tested are a new free throw rule, dubbed the “One Free Throw Rule,” and a “connected basketball.”
The former rule has been implemented in the NBA G League since the 2019-2020 season.
Here’s more information on that and the “connected basketball.”
MORE: Celtics made a big mistake with Jaylen Brown trade
NBA’s One Free Throw Rule
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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots a free throw in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Here is the breakdown of what the One Free Throw Rule entails:
- When free throws are awarded, one free throw worth one, two or three points will be attempted.
- Standard NBA free throw rules apply in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and during overtime.
- The NBA G League has used this rule since the 2019-20 season to improve game flo
“With this rule, any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free throw attempt. That attempt will be worth the same total number of points as the free throws it replaces,” the league said.
MORE: NBA insider reveals LeBron James decision timeline
As mentioned in the bullet points, the rule is designed to improve the flow of the game.
It would certainly amount to a radical change for the NBA and we’re not sure it makes a big enough dent in the length of a game to be worth it.
That said, clearly there’s at least a chance it succeeds with how long it has stuck in the G League.
What the NBA really needs to shorten is the length of the season, but that’s another discussion for another day.
What is a Connected Basketball?
The Connected Basketball features an embedded sensor inside the ball. Here’s the rundown and why the league wants to implement it:
- The connected basketball contains an embedded sensor that detects contact with the ball.
- The sensor does not affect the ball’s weight, feel or playability.
- Data collected will support future officiating applications, such as last-touch out-of-bounds calls.
This change isn’t anywhere near as drastic a change as the free throw rule, so it has a much better chance of actually being implemented.
It’s also a useful tool to have if it helps better determine who touched the ball last when it goes out of bounds.
Continue reading...
