5 Teams the NBA’s new load management rule will impact most

Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
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NBA
Miami Heat Jimmy Butler (Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports)

Miami Heat

Already having been on record in saying that he doesn’t like load management in the NBA, Bam Adebayo is not a big concern for the Miami Heat when it comes to this new rule. Jimmy Butler is the concern for the Heat. If Miami is going to make another deep run in the playoffs, it all hinges on a healthy Jimmy. In order for him to get to the playoffs healthy, he’ll likely have to take some games off here and there. The new rule will make that complicated for the Heat to handle.

Adding to that difficulty could be the addition of Damian Lillard, who is also an aging player who needs to go extra lengths to take care of his body to ensure he’s healthy when the playoffs roll around.

It’s not a given that Lillard is going to be traded to the Heat but if it does get to that point, you can only assume that Miami is going to have some sort of load management plan in place for both Jimmy and Lillard. There’s no question this rule is going to complicate things for Miami this season.