Lakers News: NBA Owners Will Vote This Week On Restrictive Star Resting Policy

Your Los Angeles Lakers have been the beneficiaries of advantageous rest policies for years, given the injury proclivities of 30+ year-old stars LeBron James (38) and Anthony Davis (30, but he moves like he's 38).

Though they haven't been liberal to the level of the Los Angeles Clippers when it comes to dolling out rest windows, they've certainly been conscientious of not overextending themselves.

Now, in what looks like something of a desperate move to preserve the NBA's overlong regular season product, the league is yet again attempting to crack down on that slippery phrase known as "load management."

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that the league's Competition Committee is pushing NBA team owners for a vote on stricter policies for resting players for nationally broadcast games and for resting more than one star in tandem during the same matchup. Woj anticipates that league owners will vote on Wednesday in favor of harsher policies.

Those more punitive measures will fine teams $100,000 in the first instance, $250,000 the second time and $1 million during all subsequent occurrences, Wojnarowski adds.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that "star" players are defined as players who have made an All-Star squad or an All-NBA Team in the last three seasons, which frankly seems a little generous.

Given that most major stars now miss 10-15 games a year while being rested for the playoffs, it's a bit stunning that the owners somehow are going to vote against their own best interests. Yes, extended absences somewhat devalue the bottom line during the regular season, but if that means players can be fresher during the postseason (not counting the Clippers stars, whose bodies seem to fall apart every time of year even with plenty of rest), isn't that what matters most?

That said, the Lakers should be okay. LeBron James has long been opposed to the concept of load management, even if his aching body needs it. He and Davis will naturally miss games due to actual injuries, not maintenance. Perhaps minutes management is the next frontier clubs should explore for preserving their older players?

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