The NBA is set to implement a new rule that has been a long time coming. Unsuccessful end-of-period heaves will be recorded as a missed field-goal attempt for the team instead of the player who took the shot. It should encourage players to go for buzzer-beating shots from near or beyond the midcourt and not worry about their field-goal percentage taking a hit.
Among those who should look to capitalize on the change are Charlotte Hornets foundational pieces, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.
In the 2024-25 campaign, Ball attempted seven heaves (making none) with only nine other players putting up more such tries. Perhaps if he suited up in over 47 games, he would have probably logged more attempts.
On the other hand, Bridges had one fewer heave last season and also sank zero of them. Interestingly, he was also among the league leaders in that stat in 2023-24, attempting seven heaves.
Hornets fans can expect LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges to let it fly more often
The league's decision to enact the rule is a welcome development, as some players have historically hesitated to attempt a heave when the quarter is about to end and they have the ball deep down the other side of the court. Evidently, Ball and Bridges aren't among those who are concerned about their shooting percentage going down a bit.
Still, the pair is not on Nikola Jokic's level in that department. He fired up 22 heaves last season and converted two of them (no one else successfully made multiple heaves). Clearly, taking the Hail Mary shot can sometimes pay off.
The NBA clarified the rule, stating that a field-goal attempt taken within the "final three seconds of the first three quarters and is launched from at least 36 feet away on any play that starts in the backcourt" falls under this type of shot.
The rule had already been implemented in the G League last campaign, and it appears the league was satisfied enough with the experiment to adopt it to the NBA. This year's Summer Leagues in Las Vegas, Utah, and California also put it into practice.
It's likely that some guys around the league will take a bit of time to adjust to the change, although Ball and Bridges probably won't have to, given that they had shown no problem aiming for the miracle play even if it mildly impacted their shooting efficiency.