With load management becoming so commonplace in the NBA, the league decided to make rule changes to try to combat it. Starting this season, a player would need to play at least 65 games to become eligible for most NBA awards and honors. The new rule applies to players being eligible for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and All-NBA & All-Defensive Teams.
After Friday’s slate of games, three notable players will now be eligible after reaching the 65-game mark.
Three More Star Players Now Eligible For End-Of-Season Awards
LeBron Looks to Continue All-NBA Streak
LeBron James is now in his 21st NBA season. He has been named to an All-NBA team every year in the league since his rookie year.
The four-time league MVP has received All-NBA honors for 19 straight seasons. James has been on the All-NBA First Team 13 times, Second Team three times, and Third Team three times. With averages of 25.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 2023-24, it is likely that streak will stretch to 20 straight seasons.
LeBron James has reached the 65-game criteria.
He is now eligible for postseason honors.
James has been named All-NBA 19 seasons in a row.
This is the first time James and Anthony Davis have played 65+ games together in one season.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 29, 2024
While James has technically played 64 games thus far, the In-Season Tournament Finals is counted as a game towards the 65-game minimum. That game did not count in the regular season standings.
Wemby’s Defensive Prowess Should Have Him on an All-Defensive Team
Rookie of the Year is not an award that requires a 65-game minimum. Victor Wembanyama has likely sewn up winning that award, and now he can receive honors for the defensive prowess he has exhibited all season.
Wembanyama played in his 65th game on Friday, an overtime victory by the San Antonio Spurs over the New York Knicks. It was a career night for the 2023 first overall pick as he scored 40 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.
Victor Wembanyama has reached the 65-game criteria.
He is now eligible for postseason honors.
Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie do not fall under the game requirement rule.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 30, 2024
The league leader in blocks, Wembanyama is not likely to win Defensive Player of the Year. Rudy Gobert is the heavy favorite to win the award for the fourth time. The 20-year-old Wembanyama is likely to find his name on an All-Defensive Team though. The last rookie to receive All-Defensive honors is Tim Duncan in the 1997-98 season.
Maxey for Most Improved Player?
An All-Star for the first time this season, Tyrese Maxey played in his 65th game on Friday. He is also now eligible for NBA awards and honors after the season.
Tyrese Maxey has reached the 65-game criteria.
Maxey is now eligible for postseason honors.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 30, 2024
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the fourth-year player is a heavy favorite to take home Most Improved Player. Maxey is listed at -300 to win the award. Coby White is second at +220, and Jalen Williams is third at +8000.
Maxey actually finished sixth in Most Improved Player voting in 2021-22. With averages of 25.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, the 23-year-old could find himself as an All-NBA member as well.
