The NBA has agreed to change the trade deadline for the 2017-18 season to before All-Star weekend.
“The Board of Governors approved moving the trade deadline from the Thursday after the NBA All-Star Game to the Thursday 10 days before the All-Star Game,” the league said in a press release. “With the new placement of the trade deadline, teams will be able to settle their rosters before the All-Star break and avoid the disruptions that result from players joining new teams just as practices and games are beginning to resume following the All-Star break.”
Now, player and fans can enjoy the All-Star festivities without trade rumors, scenarios and questions taking away from what should be a celebration.
Ben Golliver on Twitter
Man, give me a break. I just need one All-Star where it’s All-Star questions.” DeMarcus Cousins on trade rumors https://t.co/JV04Sab0K8
Among the more significant changes is the amount of timeouts teams can utilize with number per game being reduced from 18 to 14. Each team will have seven timeouts per game, with no restrictions per half. Squads will only be allowed to call two timeouts in the final three minutes of a game.
Other in-game changes are as follows:
* All team timeouts will be 75 seconds. In the previous format, “full” timeouts were 90 seconds and “20-second” timeouts were 60 seconds.
- * All four periods will have two mandatory timeouts, which will take place after the first stoppage under the seven- and three-minute marks.
- The under-nine-minute mandatory timeouts in the second and fourth periods will be eliminated.
- * Each team can enter the fourth period with up to four team timeouts.
- * Each team will be limited to two team timeouts after the later of (i) the three-minute mark of the fourth period or (ii) the resumption of play after the second mandatory timeout of the fourth period.
- * Each team will have two team timeouts per overtime period; teams previously had three.
* Referees will assess a delay-of-game violation if a free-throw shooter ventures beyond the three-point line between attempts.
“These changes will help us fulfill our goal of improving game flow and pace of play,” said Byron Spruell, NBA President, League Operations. “Fewer stoppages and less time without action, especially at the end of a game, will further enhance the viewing experience for our fans.”
