This is one of the big topics around the NBA in parallel with the current regular season: the negotiation of a new labor agreement between players and the league. The two parties have until March 31 to agree, and discussions are well underway. Shams Charania today reports that one of the topics that came up recently is the rule around individual trophies. And a minimum number of matches to play to be eligible. We take stock.
Here is a new rule that could have a fairly strong impact on the league if adopted. As part of the negotiations for the new CBA (collective agreement, basically) between the league and the NBPA, the players’ union, the subject of the games required to claim to receive an individual trophy at the end of the regular was raised. Today, this is only the case for the top scorer trophy, which requires a minimum of 58 games played to be won.
The NBA and the players’ association would therefore be in advanced discussion to impose a minimum number of games played, in order to be eligible for NBA trophies.
58 games minimum makes sense: that’s the number of games you have to play for the title of top scorer today.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) March 13, 2023
Adapt this rule to all individual trophies? This is therefore the meaning of the discussions that took place this week in the presence of Adam Silver. Shams Charania indicates that these exchanges have remained very cordial and that all parties are doing their part. However, the number of matches has not been stopped. It could be 58, it could be more. Enough to force players to be regular and diligent to claim to hang a nice trophy above the fireplace.
And above all, enough to guarantee the league to keep its business afloat. Yes, with us too, we are sometimes too lazy to turn on the TV to watch a team whose best players we know are voluntarily put to rest, especially before the Playoffs. And this is the case for many people, behind the TVs but also in the rooms. Less money for the NBA in terms of revenueand therefore by extension for the players.
I don’t think 58 games changes the situation, history shows us that voters don’t give their way for a player who has played little.
On the other hand, if you raise the bar (65? 67?), there are 2-3 players and staff who will have to discuss because it impacts the summer negotiations.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) March 13, 2023
So we come back to the idea of lightening the calendar to prevent certain teams from lending themselves to the game of the now well-known “load management“. On this, no information has filtered. In any case, the introduction of such a measure would change a lot of things, starting with the next free agency because some contract options involve a potential trophy. Case to follow.
Source : The Athletic