Being a big market team in the NBA is an advantage for players most of the time. They get better TV contracts, sponsorships, they can make more money and the cities they will live in are more international. However, being a “big” team means a big disadvantage due to the new “no rest” rule.
The NBA Board of Governors agreed to impose sanctions on any team that rests data during nationally televised games. Journalist Shams Charania reports that all players invited to the tournament will be considered “stars.” all star game Over the past three seasons, LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers have accomplished this task.
The biggest problem for Cal is that they are a large-market team, so 27 of their 82 games this season will be televised on national television. Neither James nor Davis will be rested due to technical decisions in these games, and if rested they will be fined between $100,000 and $1 million.
The Lakers are clearly hurt by this rule, as teams like the New Orleans Pelicans have had two players invited to the All-Star Game in the past three games but have played different times on public television.
For the Lakers, it is crucial to manage the physical load of the 38-year-old “King James” and “AD” who has been injured many times in his career. In the 2023-24 season, the Purple and Gold’s load management will have to be different if they want to avoid fines while making the playoffs with new players.