The NBA is trying to put an end to the issue of load management.
For years now, fans have cried for changes that would prevent teams from benching players for no valid reason.
New rules enacted by the league will significantly fine teams that choose to rest players.
This will affect plenty of teams and it will also impact how trade requests work, according to Bobby Marks.
Speaking on ESPN, via ClutchPoints, he said: “The days of shutting down a player that’s maybe involved in trade talks is no longer going to happen anymore.”
"The days of shutting down a player that's maybe involved in trade talks is no longer going to happen anymore."
Bobby Marks on how the NBA's new resting rules affects players like Damian Lillard & James Harden, who have requested trades.pic.twitter.com/Y0aYGocawC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 14, 2023
In the past, teams would often take a star player off the roster in the midst of trade negotiations.
This made sense for a number of reasons.
The player was likely mentally checked out and ready to make a new start with a different squad.
Also, the team didn’t want to risk injuring that player and then lessening his trade value.
That could now be a thing of the past.
If a team violates this new rule more than once, they could face hefty fines.
Therefore, it is very likely that players requesting a trade will be forced to suit up all the way until a deal has been signed.
There are two A-list players currently trying to get out of their respective teams: James Harden and Damian Lillard.
After some pushback, reports say Lillard will still hit the court for the Blazers if a trade hasn’t been made by the time the new season starts.
It’s not clear if Harden will do the same.
Most people assumed that the 76ers would just bench Harden throughout the season until a trade is worked out.
But that might not be the case anymore unless they want to pay up.
NEXT: Richard Jefferson Makes His Thoughts Clear On 'World Champion' Debate
