Jimmy Butler rested due to a loophole in the NBA anti-resting rules / News - Basketnews.com

Section V of the Player Participation Policy essentially allows teams to rest players at any time if the organization communicates with the NBA about it ahead of time. Butler will not play against the Timberwolves despite not meeting any of the approved reasons for resting.

Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

After playing against the Boston Celtics Friday night, Jimmy Butler will not compete against the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night. The Miami Heat player will be rested despite not qualifying for it due to a loophole in the new anti-resting system.

Miami Heat / Schedule

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The NBA released a new Player Participation Policy in September, discouraging teams from resting star players in NBA games. It features multiple reasons that allow the organizations to allow their star players to miss some of the games. However, Jimmy Butler did not meet any of the criteria.

Only a genuine injury, a pre-approved back-to-back restriction, genuine personal reasons, rare and unusual circumstances, roster management, or end-of-season flexibility allow star players to miss games.

Jimmy Butler does not qualify for the back-to-back restriction, but he will not play against the Timberwolves despite being healthy. His absence does not fall under the list of approved reasons.

Despite the fact, the Heat listed him as out for the match due to rest. Anthony Chiang from The Miami Herald reports that the Heat consulted the league about it, and they were allowed to make the move due to Butler playing in a nationally televised game the night before.

Section V in the Player Participation Policy says that teams have to communicate with the league in advance about any moves they are planning to make regarding resting starters or stars.

The section, which is the last in the policy, essentially allows teams to rest their players at any time if the organization communicates about it with the NBA ahead of time. The Heat did it, and Jimmy Butler will not play despite not meeting any of the approved reasons.

Haywood Highsmith (knee), Josh Richardson (foot), Kevin Love (shoulder), and Caleb Martin (knee) will not play as well.

Section V in full:

Teams should err on the side of over-communicating with the league office to ensure compliance with the Policy. In particular, a team must contact the league office as soon as the team becomes aware of the following: (a) any star player whose non-participation in an upcoming game may potentially implicate the Policy (e.g., to discuss planned management in advance of a back-to-back); or (b) any other player who is usually a starter for the team and is expected to have a one-game absence in any (1) national television game, or (2) game in which any other starter or star player is not expected to play.

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