The NBA is preparing to test two significant changes during this year’s Summer League schedule, with both a new free throw format and advanced ball technology set to debut over the coming weeks.
The experiments will be introduced during the California Classic, Salt Lake City Summer League and the Las Vegas Summer League as the league continues to evaluate possible future changes to the game.
One of the most noticeable changes involves free throws.
“The one free throw rule will award one free throw for any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules. That free throw attempt will be worth the same total number of points as the free throws it replaces,” wrote ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “This will take place until the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and throughout overtime when standard NBA free throw rules will apply.”
Under the experimental rule, a player fouled on a three-point attempt would take just one free throw worth three points. A traditional two-shot foul would instead become a single attempt worth two points.
The NBA confirmed that the format will only be used until the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. Overtime periods will also revert back to normal NBA free throw rules.
The league has previous experience with the concept after introducing the rule in the G League during the 2019-20 season in an effort to improve game flow and reduce lengthy stoppages.
Alongside the free throw experiment, the NBA will also test a connected basketball containing internal sensor technology.
“The NBA also will test a connected basketball that contains an embedded sensor to detect contact with the ball,” Youngmisuk continued. “The league says the ball will provide data that will be collected to support future officiating applications, such as last-touch out-of-bounds calls. The sensor does not affect the weight, feel or playability of the ball.”
The first opportunity to see both changes in action arrives Friday when the California Classic officially begins.
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