The NBA will introduce an experimental one-free-throw rule during its upcoming Summer League events in Salt Lake City, Northern California, and Las Vegas. This initiative is designed to expedite game flow, drawing from a similar rule implemented in the G League since the 2019-20 season.
Under the proposed rule, any foul that would typically result in one, two, or three free throws will instead be converted into a single attempt. The point value of this single shot will be equivalent to the total points awarded for the original number of free throws.
However, the standard free-throw rules, which award multiple shots for certain fouls, will remain in effect for the final two minutes of regulation fourth quarters and throughout all overtime periods. This provision ensures that crucial game-deciding moments are not significantly altered by the experimental rule.
The NBA has a history of using its Summer League and affiliated leagues as testing grounds for potential rule modifications that may eventually be adopted at the professional level. Past successful experiments include the introduction of the coach's challenge, the resetting of the shot clock to 14 seconds after an offensive rebound, and the one-shot foul award for transition take fouls, where a defender intentionally fouls an opponent to stop a fast break.
This move aligns with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's expressed interest in potentially shortening game times. The G League, for instance, already utilizes 10-minute quarters, a format Silver has publicly supported. The league has previously experimented with 11-minute quarters in preseason games and pre-bubble exhibition contests in 2020.
The Summer League is scheduled to commence on July 9. The Associated Press contributed to this report.