In 2023-24, load management is once again dominating the conversation in the NBA but this time, for a much different reason. To curb the NBA’s epidemic of star players missing games for unknown or “illegitimate” reasons over the last few seasons, Commissioner Adam Silver and the league implemented a rule in which all players must play at least 65 games to be considered for awards such as MVP and All-NBA Team selections among others.
A little over halfway into the season and this rule has already begun to claim some notable victims. Below is a list of 30 notable players who have been affected by this rule and will likely miss out on incentives in their contracts due to becoming ineligible for these accolades. Many notable names are on the cusp of joining these 30 players who have already crossed the forbidden 18 games missed mark.
*Players must miss 18 games to become ineligible
Ineligible Players According To New 65-Game Rule
1. Ja Morant – 41 Games Missed
2. Ben Simmons – 40 Games Missed
3. Marcus Smart – 30 Games Missed
4. Mitchell Robinson – 29 Games Missed
5. LaMelo Ball – 27 Games Missed
6. Zach LaVine – 25 Games Missed
7. Draymond Green – 24 Games Missed
8. Darius Garland – 24 Games Missed
9. Bradley Beal – 24 Games Missed
10. Gordon Hayward – 24 Games Missed
11. Evan Mobley – 23 Games Missed
12. Wendell Carter Jr. – 23 Games Missed
13. Jarred Vanderbilt – 22 Games Missed
14. Kyrie Irving – 22 Games Missed
15. Anfernee Simons – 22 Games Missed
16. Bojan Bogdanovic – 21 Games Missed
17. Tyler Herro – 20 Games Missed
18. Amen Thompson – 19 Games Missed
19. Shaedon Sharpe – 18 Games Missed
20. Jose Alvarado – 18 Games Missed
As you can see from the list above, we already have some big names who will be ineligible for any individual honors this season. Some players were issued suspensions such as Ja Morant and Draymond Green which derailed their chances of becoming award-winners in 2023-24. Other players like Zach LaVine and Kyrie Irving have suffered multiple injuries which led to their disqualification.
Players like Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, Zach LaVine, LaMelo Ball, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Bradley Beal were the ones most likely to compete for All-NBA Team selections in 2023-24 but have fallen out of contention. Stars of this caliber often have built-in incentives in their contracts rewarding them handsomely for All-NBA and All-Defensive Team selections which those seven players all had legitimate chances of earning this year.
NBA Players Who Are Close To Becoming Ineligible For An Award This Season
1. Jimmy Butler – 15/18 Games Missed
2. Joel Embiid – 15/18 Games Missed
3. Chris Paul – 14/18 Games Missed
4. Kristaps Porzingis – 14/18 Games Missed
5. Tyrese Haliburton – 13/18 Games Missed
6. Zion Williamson – 10/18 Games Missed
7. Bam Adebayo – 10/18 Games Missed
8. Lauri Markkanen – 10/18 Games Missed
9. Donovan Mitchell – 9/18 Games Missed
10. Devin Booker – 9/18 Games Missed
The 10 players listed above all have just nine games or fewer of leeway for the rest of the season in terms of missed games. The most notable of these is Jimmy Butler with 15 games missed and Joel Embiid and Chris Paul with 14 games missed each. Butler is significant for both All-NBA and All-Defensive Team purposes while Embiid is the overall MVP favorite.
With news of Embiid’s meniscus injury requiring surgery and extended recovery time, he will become the most notable player to fall victim to the 65-game rule in its inaugural year. Embiid will also lose out on his third straight scoring title, All-NBA, and All-Defensive Team selections once he reaches 18 games missed.
Other notable stars already in double-digits in missed games include Tyrese Haliburton who is heading for an assists title and All-NBA First Team consideration as well as Zion Williamson and Bam Adebayo who could be in danger of missing out on All-NBA or All-Defensive Team honors. Star shooting guards Donovan Mitchell and Devin Booker have both missed nine games this season, meaning two more All-NBA guards are on high alert of missing out on individual honors.
