How Golden State Warriors are impacted by NBA’s new resting policy
The NBA’s new ‘Player Participation Policy’ (PPP) was officially signed off on Wednesday, impacting 25 teams including the Golden State Warriors ahead of the 2023-24 season.
With the new rules in place, the NBA hopes there will be a rise in player availability leading to an increase in league integrity, along with more opportunity for fans to see their favorite players in action.
The Golden State Warriors will have four players classified as ‘stars’ this season under the NBA’s Player Participation Policy.
Having previously devised a new set of laws that state players must appear in at least 65 games to win awards, make All-NBA teams, etc., this new policy will further restrict star-level players from resting throughout the regular season.
In basic terms, teams must now adhere to the following:
– No more than one star player can be rested in the same game
– Star players cannot rest nationally-televised games or In-Season Tournament games
– There must remain a balance between one-game absences (rests) at home and on the road for star players
– Teams will now be investigated for shutting down (or near shutting down) a star player towards the end of the season
– Healthy players that are resting must be visible and present at the game
Who classifies as a ‘star’ player?
A star player is characterized by someone who has made an All-Star or All-NBA team at least once in the past three seasons. Based on that criteria, the Warriors have four players — Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins — that are stars. Perhaps importantly for Golden State, Klay Thompson is not classified as a star player.
There were multiple times last season where Golden State would rest a combination of their star-level players, particularly on the second night of a back-to-back on the road. While the rules will restrict such situations for most teams, the Warriors will still be able to undertake these measures to a degree.
Players that begin the season at 35 years of age or older will have pre-approved allowances for back-to-back situations. That means Curry and Paul will be allowed to rest one game of a back-to-back without seeking permission from the NBA.
Of the Warriors four stars, only Green played more than 60 games last season. Greater availability from Curry and Wiggins, in particular, should be viewed as key reasons why Golden State can improve upon their 44-38 record from last season.
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The Warriors’ 2023-24 campaign tips-off against the Phoenix Suns on October 24. Their first back-to-back of the season comes on October 29 and 30 in New Orleans and Houston.