The NBA announced Thursday, July 2, 2026, that it will trial a “one-free-throw rule” and a sensor-embedded “connected basketball” during the 2026 Summer League. The experiment, which aims to improve game flow and officiating accuracy, applies to most Summer League games but reverts to standard rules during the final two minutes of regulation and overtime.
How the One-Free-Throw Scoring System Works
The NBA is moving toward a more aggressive scoring structure for fouls. Under the new trial, any foul that would typically result in one, two, or three free throws is replaced by a single attempt. That lone shot carries the point value of the original penalty.
As HoopsRumors.com detailed, a player fouled on a three-point attempt will shoot one free throw worth three points. If the player misses, they receive no points. Conversely, fouls on two-point shots result in a single two-point attempt, while technical fouls or “and-one” situations remain one-point shots.
The rule effectively turns every missed free throw into a live-ball situation, with the exception of technical or flagrant fouls.
This is not a new concept for the league’s developmental pipeline. The G League has utilized this system since the 2019-20 season. According to the Sun Sentinel, initial trials in the G League shortened games by six to eight minutes, potentially bringing game lengths closer to the preferred two-hour broadcast window.
The Miami Heat’s Role as the Initial Test Case
The Miami Heat will be the first to implement these changes on the court. They open the California Classic this Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern, facing the San Antonio Spurs at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
The Heat enter the trial with a roster already acclimated to the G League’s rules. Players Jahmir Young, Vlad Goldin, Trevor Keels, and Myron Gardner have all spent time with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. The coaching staff is similarly prepared; assistant coach Dan Bisaccio previously served as the Skyforce head coach.
Connected Basketball and Officiating Data
Alongside the scoring changes, the NBA is testing a connected basketball. This ball features an embedded sensor designed to detect contact, which the league intends to use for future officiating applications.
The primary goal is to resolve disputed calls, specifically last-touch out-of-bounds decisions. Blazers Edge reported that the NBA maintains the sensor does not materially affect the ball’s weight, feel, or playability.
Analytical Stakes: Game Flow vs. Player Performance
The shift aims to reduce the frequent stoppages associated with multiple free-throw attempts. Bleacher Report compared the move to Major League Baseball’s elimination of the traditional intentional walk, where a manager now simply signals for the batter to take first base.
However, the rule may impact overall league scoring percentages. Data from the 2018-19 season, analyzed by former ESPN writer Kevin Pelton, indicated that players generally shoot better on their second free-throw attempt than their first. By removing the second shot, the NBA may see a dip in overall efficiency at the line.
The trial also introduces a new risk-reward dynamic. While a single shot can yield three points, a single miss results in zero points, removing the “safety net” of multiple attempts to salvage a possession.
Wider NBA Shifts and Personnel Changes
These on-court experiments coincide with significant organizational restructuring. On Wednesday, the NBA laid off dozens of employees as the league pivots its resources toward technology and international expansion.
“The changes today are a continuation of the strategy we announced in September which will enable us to invest further — including in new positions and hiring — in key growth areas such as local media, programming and technology, the WNBA and the creation of a new league in Europe,”
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, via HoopsRumors.com
Silver added that these investments are intended to improve viewership and drive global growth. This shift comes as the league attempts to revive domestic broadcast strategies, as 11 former Main Street Sports Group teams currently lack local television deals.
Summer League Schedule and Legal Updates
The experimental rules will be visible across several venues this month:
- California Classic: Begins Friday, featuring the Heat vs. Spurs opener.
- Salt Lake City Summer League: Tips off Saturday.
- Las Vegas Summer League: Runs from July 9-19, featuring all 30 NBA teams.
Outside of rule changes, the league is monitoring the legal situation of Malik Beasley. Indicted Monday on sports gambling charges, Beasley pleaded not guilty Wednesday in a Brooklyn federal court.
“He looks forward to fighting. He’s fought every day,” The legal proceedings against Beasley will continue as the NBA evaluates potential next steps for his status on the roster.
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