David Richard-Imagn Images / Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
NBA referee Bill Kennedy (55) runs on the court in the first quarter of a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Rocket Arena. In the second photo, Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson (8) looks for an opening around Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first quarter at TD Garden.
It’s not secret to anybody who has watched the NBA in recent years that the league’s officials have become extremely lenient with regards to what is and is not considered a traveling violation.
But somehow, it appears that things have gotten even worse during the 2026-27 season, with referees seemingly giving up on calling traveling altogether.
Two high-profile instances within the last week have fans wondering if it’s time for the league to make traveling a point of emphasis, if only to return some sort of legitimacy back to the game and its rules.
NBA Players Aren’t Even Concerned About Getting Called For Traveling
In the first of the two incidents, newly acquired Minnesota Timberwolves star LaMelo Ball seemed to take four steps without dribbling before shooting (and making a step-back 3-pointer.
The violation was so egregious that even his brother, Lonzo, couldn’t help but call him out.
“That’s a travel.”
How many steps from LaMelo? 😭 https://t.co/pmuhYg1zQb
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 22, 2026
But it only managed to get worse from there. On Monday night, the Chicago Bulls took on the Boston Celtics, and Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson appeared to get the better of future Hall of Famer Paul George.
There’s just one problem. Wilson very clearly switched his pivot foot prior to dribbling the ball, committing an obvious, uncalled traveling violation in the process.
ROOKIE CALEB WILSON COOKED PAUL GEORGE 🤧
Shifty jab into the dunk 😯 https://t.co/2rqPpR8ETF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 27, 2026
Wilson’s uncalled travel seemed to be the breaking point for NBA fans, who are ready for the league to step in and do something.
“Throw away the entire basketball rule book at this point,” one fan wrote.
“Adam Silver, WHAT ARE WE EVEN DOING?! This is the most basic rule in basketball and your refs can’t even get that right? Astoundingly bad. Like you have to try to be this bad. This is willful ignorance,” said another.
Has the league reached a point where it’s ready to revert course? Only time will tell. But if it doesn’t, then the traveling rule may be gone for good.