A significant procedural change is slated for implementation during this year's NBA Summer League competitions.
The NBA announced on Thursday that a modified "one free throw rule" will be in effect for the Summer League events scheduled throughout July in Salt Lake City, Northern California, and Las Vegas. This particular rule has been a feature of the G League since the 2019-20 season, primarily introduced to enhance the speed of play.
Under the new format, any foul that would typically result in one, two, or three free throw attempts will instead be resolved with a single free throw. This singular attempt will be awarded the cumulative point value of the multiple free throws it replaces.
However, this revised rule will not apply for the entirety of every game. Traditional free throw regulations—such as two shots for a two-shot foul—will be reinstated for the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and for all overtime periods.
Precedent for Rule Changes
While it remains uncertain if the one-free-throw rule will eventually become a permanent fixture in NBA games, the Summer League historically serves as a crucial testing ground for potential rule modifications, much like minor and independent leagues do for Major League Baseball.
Several significant rule changes that are now part of regular NBA play were first trialed at these developmental levels. These include the coach's challenge, the reset of the 24-second shot clock to 14 seconds following offensive rebounds, and the single-shot award for a transition take foul, which occurs when a defender deliberately fouls to impede an opponent's fast break opportunity.
Other Pace-of-Play Innovations
Another initiative aimed at accelerating gameplay, 10-minute quarters, is also utilized in the G League. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has previously expressed support for shorter quarter lengths. The league once experimented with 11-minute quarters in a preseason game, and exhibition contests prior to the "bubble" restart in 2020 also featured 10-minute quarters.
The Summer League events are set to commence on July 9.
