In the complex landscape of NBA awards, Tyrese Haliburton faces a significant setback, risking a $40 million loss due to injury and the league’s stringent criteria.
Indiana Pacers’ point guard Tyrese Haliburton emerges as a prominent player in the NBA this season, yet faces challenges due to the league’s new load management regulations.
Consider the following:
Haliburton inked a lucrative five-year max contract last offseason, set to activate next season. Initially valued at $204.5 million, it could surpass $245 million if he secures a spot on the All-NBA roster in the final year of his rookie deal, which is this season.
On January 8, Haliburton suffered a hamstring injury, causing him to miss all but one game since then. He returned in a recent 129-124 loss to the Boston Celtics but has missed a total of 13 games this season, playing only 13 minutes in the game he got injured.
The NBA introduced new regulations stipulating that players must play a minimum of 20 minutes in at least 65 regular-season games to qualify for awards.
Considering the injury and minute requirements, Haliburton risks forfeiting over $40 million and potential All-NBA recognition due to strict rules designed to prevent excessive load management, akin to situations like Kyrie Irving’s.
With 13 games missed and another falling short of the 20-minute criteria, Haliburton can afford to miss only three games and must play at least 20 minutes in each other game to qualify for All-NBA. Any injury sidelining him for a week could derail his award prospects.
As the NBA’s assists leader and a consistent 20-point scorer, Haliburton would have a strong case if he played 60 games. However, the NBA’s regulations eliminate flexibility in the scenario.
Understandably, Haliburton expresses discontent with the NBA’s rules, stating that players must comply with owners’ demands despite disagreeing with them.
“I think it’s a stupid rule, like plenty of the guys in the league, but this is what the owners want, so as players, we gotta do our job and play in 65 games if we’re able to,” Haliburton said after practice Monday. “So, that’s what I gotta do, take care of my body to be able to play in those games, and I think you’re seeing other players in the league kind of face the same thing. As long as the owners are happy.”
While Haliburton’s guaranteed $200 million diminishes sympathy, the issue highlights money flowing to NBA owners, who arguably require it less.
It’s ironic that Haliburton faces repercussions despite his pivotal role in the success of the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament, aligning with the criteria for the “higher max criteria” award.
The 65-game threshold could also influence the MVP race. Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic are top contenders, but Embiid is at risk of missing the threshold by six absences.
Although missing over 17 games could impact a player’s MVP and All-NBA chances, Embiid’s outstanding performance of 36 points per game raises questions about the value of individual games. The NBA’s decision to remove this debate may spark discussions during future negotiations.
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