Gregory Shamus-Pool Photo via Imagn Images
Jun 5, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) attempts a free throw during game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
Have you ever found yourself watching an NBA game and thinking to yourself, ‘gee, I really wish there were less of this basketball game?”
Well, apparently the NBA thinks that’s a common belief among fans, because it recently announced plans to test out new rules regarding free throws during Summer League games in order to speed the game up.
Because clearly one of the fastest-moving sports on the planet isn’t moving quickly enough.
What Are The NBA’s Proposed New Free Throw Rules?
On Thursday morning, the league announced plans to trial a “One Free Throw” rule during all upcoming Summer League games.
The concept is simple.
All fouls that would typically result in free throws will now lead to just one free throw.
So if a player is fouled and makes their shot attempt, they would still take just one shot at the line. However, if a player if fouled in the process of taking a 2-point field goal attempt, they would then be award one free throw that is worth two points. The same logic applies to fouls on 3-point attempts, as well as free throw attempts for fouls in the bonus.
However, traditional NBA free throw rules will still apply during the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and throughout overtime.
The one free throw rule will be tested at the upcoming NBA summer leagues.
With this rule, any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free throw attempt. That attempt will be worth the same… pic.twitter.com/tFiOpJLnQW
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) July 2, 2026
In theory, the idea is to speed up the game. But I don’t know many people who felt basketball games moved too slowly. Additionally, it removes a good amount of suspense from the games and adjusts the math for bad foul shooters.
Unsurprisingly, basketball fans didn’t love the announcement.
“Not a fan. Fouled on a 3-point attempt and it only takes a single free throw for all three points? Yes, it ‘improves game flow,’ but also changes the game. And you thought guys were hunting for three-shot fouls already? Let the flailing begin,” Miami Heat reporter Ira Winderman said on X.
“I loathe this idea and am prepared to be insanely mean to Adam Silver if this crap ever sniffs the NBA,” one fan wrote.
“The NBA truly is run by people who hate basketball,” said another.
What do you think? Is the newly proposed role a good idea? Or will it backfire immediately? Let us know in the comments below?