Load management, the strategic resting of players to prevent injuries and extend careers, has become a key NBA strategy in recent seasons. To keep stars fresh for playoff runs, many top players have missed significant portions of the regular season. In response, the NBA introduced the Player Participation Policy (PPP) for the 2023-24 season to balance team interests with player health while ensuring fans see the league’s top talent on the court.

The PPP limits teams to resting only one “star” player per game, defined as those selected to an All-Star Game or earning All-NBA honors in the past three seasons. Stars must be available for nationally televised games and the In-Season Tournament, preserving competitive balance and keeping them in the spotlight. From a player’s perspective, the policy acknowledges the need for rest while setting a clear standard: NBA players must appear in at least 65 games and play at least 20 minutes per game to be eligible for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, All-NBA, and All-Defense honors.

The policy discourages resting players in road games as well as late-season shutdowns, aiming to keep competition fair during playoff races. While healthy players must remain visible during games, flexibility is allowed for injuries, personal reasons, and back-to-back games, especially for veterans or those with injury histories.

As we approach the 2024-25 season, this policy remains under scrutiny. Teams must balance adhering to the rules with managing their players’ health. In this article, drawing from years of experience tracking players and analyzing recent trends, we’ll identify those most likely to be impacted by load management and/or extended periods of missed time and how the policy may shape team strategies going forward.

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