NBPA Targets 65-Game Rule Change as Cade Cunningham Faces Award Ineligibility

The NBPA is advocating for a 65-game rule change after Detroit's Cade Cunningham appeared in 61 games before suffering a collapsed lung.

The National Basketball Players Association officially called for a 65-game rule change on Tuesday, citing the potential disqualification of Detroit guard Cade Cunningham from All-NBA honors. Cunningham has appeared in 61 games this season but is currently sidelined while recovering from a collapsed lung. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, players must meet a 65-game threshold to remain eligible for major individual awards, a quota the union now labels as arbitrary and overly rigid. While the NBPA originally agreed to this provision during negotiations with the league, a spokesperson stated the organization now wants the rule abolished or reformed to include exceptions for significant injuries.

Specific eligibility crises are mounting across the league's elite rosters. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is set to see his 21-year streak of All-NBA selections conclude because he has not logged enough appearances to meet the requirement. Similarly, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry have already missed too many contests to qualify for end-of-season honors. These disqualifications come despite the union's stance that career-defining seasons are being unfairly erased by a mechanical participation quota that fails to account for the physical realities of professional basketball.

Impact on MVP and All-NBA Contenders

The 65-game rule change push comes as several MVP candidates teeter on the edge of ineligibility. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama are currently near the disqualification line, though they remain in the conversation for the league's top individual prize. In contrast, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Lakers’ Luka Doncic maintain a safer cushion, as both front-runners can still afford to miss a handful of additional games without losing their eligibility for postseason accolades. The union argues that the current system punishes deserving players who have otherwise dominated the season's statistical categories.

Existing loopholes in the collective bargaining agreement offer limited relief. A player who participates in 62 games may still qualify for awards if they suffer a season-ending injury, yet this specific clause does not apply to Cunningham’s current medical situation. The Detroit guard's absence due to pulmonary issues highlights what the NBPA describes as a clear indictment of the policy, as his 61-game total leaves him just four appearances shy of the mark with several games remaining on the schedule that he is expected to miss.

Player Perspectives on Injury and Load Management

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell addressed the controversy over the weekend, noting that the 65-game rule change is necessary because players are missing time for legitimate medical reasons rather than intentional rest. Mitchell emphasized that while players are compensated to be on the court, certain physical setbacks remain beyond their control. He argued that the current scenario is unfair to athletes dealing with unavoidable trauma, suggesting the league must re-evaluate how it distinguishes between load management and genuine health crises. The union echoes this sentiment, claiming that the rule fails to differentiate between those avoiding play and those physically unable to compete.

Stephen A. Smith recently highlighted the shifting dynamics of the league, noting that LeBron James has embraced a new leadership role on the Lakers, even as he is viewed as a third option in certain tactical sets. However, such leadership and role adaptation will not be reflected in the official record books if the 65-game threshold remains an absolute barrier. The NBPA’s Tuesday statement serves as a formal push to ensure that the 2023-24 season does not end with a slew of historically significant performers being scrubbed from the All-Defensive, All-NBA, and Defensive Player of the Year ballots.

Future of the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Because the 65-game rule was a negotiated component of the current agreement between the league and its players, any immediate amendment would require a collaborative shift in policy. The union’s demand for a minimum of a reform suggests they are seeking a middle ground that protects the integrity of the awards while providing a safety net for those with long-term ailments. As the regular season nears its conclusion, the focus remains on whether the league will acknowledge the union's claim that far too many deserving players are being disqualified by a rigid system that ignores the context of their absences.