The approved NBA rule changes for 2023/24 season

• The NBA board has approved two rule changes ahead of the 2023/24 NBA season
• The board has announced the changes are set to take effect next season
• The two rules involve the coach’s challenges and flopping

The NBA Board of Governors has given their approval for two rule changes that are set to take effect in the upcoming season. The decisions were made during the annual meeting of the board of governors, which took place at the NBA 2K24 Summer League on Tuesday. The first rule change involves the implementation of a second coach’s challenge if the first one is successful, while the second change introduces an in-game penalty for flopping.

Both rule changes were unanimously recommended to the board of governors by the league’s competition committee, a diverse group consisting of players, union representatives, coaches, governors, executives, and referees. The committee saw the need for these changes and agreed that they should be put into practice starting next season.

The introduction of a second coach’s challenge is a significant development that teams and coaches have been advocating for over the years. Under the new rule, if a team successfully wins a challenge earlier in the game, they will be granted the opportunity to use a second challenge later in the contest. However, it’s important to note that teams will not regain the timeout they initially used for the first challenge, even if the second one proves successful.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the two rule changes ahead of the 2023/24 season. | PHOTO: CNN |

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On the other hand, there will be a new rule in place to address the issue of flopping during games. Flopping refers to an exaggerated or deceptive reaction by a player in an attempt to draw a foul from the opposing team. Under the updated rule, if a referee identifies a flop, a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul will be called on the player’s team, and the opposing team will be awarded a free throw. Referees will no longer have to stop play immediately to make the call; instead, they can wait until the next stoppage in live action to assess the penalty, if necessary.

It’s important to note that possession of the ball will remain unchanged following a flopping violation. Additionally, coaches will not have the ability to directly challenge a flopping call, but such violations can be reviewed and added to the assessment of a different play during a review.

While the league’s existing postgame flop violation structure will remain intact, there has been a modification to the associated financial penalty. Going forward, fines for flopping will follow a structure similar to that of technical fouls, starting at $2,000 and increasing for each subsequent offence. During games, a flop will simply result in a free throw being awarded to the opposing team.

The rule change regarding flopping will be implemented on a trial basis for one year, allowing the league to assess its effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments going forward.