Full list of NBA stars impacted by new resting policy, from LeBron James to Ben Simmons and Mike Conley

Scott Rafferty

Full list of NBA stars impacted by new resting policy, from LeBron James to Ben Simmons and Mike Conley image

The NBA has had enough of stars sitting out high-profile games.

In an effort to curb load management, a new Player Participation Policy was voted on and approved by the league's Board of Governors ahead of the 2023-24 season. Not only is the NBA determined to have its stars more available for nationally televised games, but the league wants them available for the In-Season Tournament, which will make its debut this season.

"This is ultimately about the fans," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "And that we’ve taken this [load management] too far. This is an acknowledgment that it has gotten away from us a bit."

The focus of the updated Player Participation Policy is on stars, which raised an interesting question at the time of which players the league views as "stars."

Here's everything you need to know about the NBA's new resting policy and the players impacted by it.

What is the NBA's new resting policy?

Before the 2023-24 season, the NBA Board of Governors approved a more stringent player resting policy that went into effect immediately.

As detailed by the NBA, the new details are as follows:

  • Manage its roster to ensure that no more than one star player is unavailable for the same game.
  • Ensure that star players are available for all national television and NBA In-Season Tournament games.
  • Maintain a balance between the number of one-game absences for a star player in home and road games.
  • Refrain from any long-term “shutdowns” in which a star player stops playing games.
  • If resting a healthy player, ensure that the player is present at the games and visible to fans.

Teams that violate those rules are subject to a fine — $100,000 for the first violation, $250,000 for the second violation, $1.25 million for a third violation and $1 million more than the previous penalty for violations beyond the third, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.

As for the "star" designation, the NBA views a star as someone who has been an All-Star or made an All-NBA team in any of the prior three seasons. That impacts a total of 49 players.

Full list of NBA stars impacted by new resting policy

Here's the full list of NBA players who have made an All-Star or All-NBA team in the previous three seasons:

Player Team
Dejounte Murray Hawks
Trae Young Hawks
Jaylen Brown Celtics
Jayson Tatum Celtics
Ben Simmons Nets
LaMelo Ball Hornets
DeMar DeRozan Bulls
Zach LaVine Bulls
Nikola Vucevic Bulls
Jarrett Allen Cavaliers
Darius Garland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell Cavaliers
Luka Doncic Mavericks
Kyrie Irving Mavericks
Nikola Jokic Nuggets
Stephen Curry Warriors
Draymond Green Warriors
Chris Paul Warriors
Andrew Wiggins Warriors
Fred VanVleet Rockets
Tyrese Haliburton Pacers
Paul George Clippers
Kawhi Leonard Clippers
Anthony Davis Lakers
LeBron James Lakers
Jaren Jackson Jr. Grizzlies
Ja Morant Grizzlies
Bam Adebayo Heat
Jimmy Butler Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks
Jrue Holiday Bucks
Khris Middleton Bucks
Mike Conley Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards Timberwolves
Rudy Gobert Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns Timberwolves
Zion Williamson Pelicans
Julius Randle Knicks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder
Joel Embiid 76ers
James Harden 76ers
Bradley Beal Suns
Devin Booker Suns
Kevin Durant Suns
Damian Lillard Trail Blazers
De'Aaron Fox Kings
Domantas Sabonis Kings
Pascal Siakam Raptors
Lauri Markkanen Jazz

Full list of NBA players who qualify for exceptions

The same rules don't apply to everyone, though.

For players who are 35 years old on opening night, have logged 34,000 regular-season minutes or appeared in a combined 1,000 regular season and playoff games, the NBA will allow "pre-approved designated back-to-back allowance."

Here's the full list of players who fall into those categories:

Player Team
DeMar DeRozan Bulls
Stephen Curry Warriors
Chris Paul Warriors
LeBron James Lakers
Mike Conley Timberwolves
James Harden 76ers
Kevin Durant Suns

There are other exemptions that will be granted by the NBA, including personal reasons and injuries.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.