The NBA has long used the Summer League to test potential rule changes, and this year is no exception.
The league has introduced a new free-throw shooting rule, and the experiment is already drawing widespread pushback from the NBA community.
NBA Summer League’s ‘1 Free Throw Rule’ Sparks Massive Backlash
The ‘one free throw rule’ drastically changes how players score points after being fouled. Under the NBA’s current rules, a player fouled while attempting a 2-point shot receives two free throws, each worth 1 point, while a player fouled on a 3-point attempt shoots three free throws, each worth 1 point.
Under the experimental rule, however, players take only a single free throw regardless of the type of field goal they attempt. If a player is fouled on a 2-point attempt, that lone free throw is worth 2 points. Similarly, if a player is fouled while attempting a 3-pointer, one successful free throw is worth 3 points.
The change removes the safety net provided by the NBA’s current system, as players have only one chance at the line, and a single miss leaves them scoreless.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin is among many who have called out the new rule during Summer League action.
“I am all for rules experimentation by the NBA during Summer League. It’s the perfect testing ground. But if the league has any intention of bringing this ‘one free throw’ change to the big show, the competition committee better put the kibosh on it immediately,” McMenamin tweeted.
I am all for rules experimentation by the NBA during summer league. It’s the perfect testing ground. But if the league has any intention of bringing this “one free throw” change to the big show, the competition committee better put the kibosh on it immediately.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 5, 2026
Meanwhile, Barstool Sports’ Liam Blutman took aim at NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
“Adam Silver is the worst guy,” Blutman wrote.
Adam Silver is the worst guy https://t.co/XlSlzF52qt
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) July 5, 2026
The NBA knows that altering free-throw shooting could have a major impact on close games, and so, the one free throw rule does not apply during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or throughout overtime. During those periods, contests revert to the traditional system of taking two or three separate free throws in order to preserve late-game strategy and drama.
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Still, the overwhelming majority of viewers remain opposed to the NBA possibly implementing the change.
“That is terrible, they better not implement this,” one X user said.
That is terrible, they better not implement this https://t.co/u8GjJMJGyx
— I.T. ⭐️ (@LocalzIT) July 4, 2026
“Yeah, I’m not a fan of all or nothing. Game flow is important, but too drastic of a change for so little improvement in total game time,” another weighed in.
Yeah I’m not a fan of all or nothing. Game flow is important, but too drastic of a change for so little improvement in total game time.
— Aaron Washington (@A_a_ron25) July 4, 2026
“Games are decided by FT’s all the time. This is absolute horse [expletive]. Saves a few minutes per game for zero benefit and losing all integrity,” one more blasted the rule.
The one free throw rule has been used in the NBA G League since the 2019-20 season as part of the league’s effort to improve game flow. In addition to this experiment, the NBA will also test a connected basketball equipped with an embedded sensor that can detect contact with the ball.
According to the league, the technology will collect data to support future officiating applications without affecting the ball’s weight, feel, or overall playability.
