The NBA announced on Saturday that a new rule is being tested during the 2025 Summer League, and there is one player who stands to benefit a great deal if the change is implemented in the regular season.
For Summer League games, desperation “heave” shots that are taken near the end of one of the first three periods of a game will not count toward a player’s field-goal percentage. Those shots will only count as team shots, thus protecting the player’s shooting percentage.
The idea, which was tested during the G League last season, is to encourage players to throw up desperation buzzer-beater shots without having to worry about their personal shooting percentage being impacted. In order to qualify as a “heave” shot, the shot must come within the last three seconds of one of the first three periods, be taken from beyond the outer edge of the center circle, and come on a play that originated in the backcourt.
As tested during the 2024–25 NBA G League season and in effect for all 2025 NBA summer leagues, an unsuccessful end-of-period 'heave' will be recorded as a team—not individual—missed field goal attempt when all of the following criteria are met:
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) July 5, 2025
🏀 The missed field goal attempt… pic.twitter.com/D2P9fFTUxC
One player who has never seemed concerned about his personal stats is Nikola Jokic. The Denver Nuggets star is always willing to heave up a desperation shot at the buzzer, so the new rule will benefit him if it is implemented during the regular season.
Fans were quick to point that out:
Nikola Jokić to everyone suddenly taking heaves… https://t.co/zwtiwoG4HA pic.twitter.com/o9TE3Tva4w
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) July 5, 2025
Just a reminder that Jokic shot 44.0% from 3 last year without heaves lol https://t.co/LVIseLsqj6
— SportShorts (@den_shorts) July 5, 2025
Jokic about to shoot 60% from three
— Sak Sports Blog (@SakSports) July 5, 2025
Jokic 3 point % should be higher this season… if NBA back dates? Jokic would be even higher on career average!!!
— JohnnyG (@GamboaJs) July 5, 2025
Jokic now : pic.twitter.com/GbbchLOQwo
— Hugo (@Kvarasessuales) July 5, 2025
Jokic has hit some insane buzzer-beaters from beyond half court during his career. He will likely keep taking those shots even if the NBA does not implement the rule change beyond the Summer League, but his shooting percentage should get a nice boost if the change sticks.
