Tyrese Haliburton slams NBA for 'stupid rule' that could cost him millions

When the NBA initiated its new 65-game rule for players to qualify for regular season accolades, the idea was to eradicate "load management" and the frequent "resting" of players. 

However, when a player such as Tyrese Haliburton misses time due to a legitimate injury, he stands to lose more than $40 million for no fault of his own. The flip side of the rule that has many enraged.

Having missed 14 games already, Haliburton can afford to sit out only three more games to remain in contention for an All-NBA honor and the financial bonuses that come with it. The 23-year-old inked a five-year contract extension last July with a base value of $204.5 million that could increase to more than $245 million – provided he makes an All-NBA team or wins Defensive Player of the Year.

Speaking with The Athletic, Haliburton didn't mince words on a ruling that could hurt his pocket. 

"I think it's a stupid rule, like plenty of the guys in the league, but this is what the owners want, so as players, we gotta do our job and play in 65 games if we're able to," Haliburton said. "So, that's what I gotta do, take care of my body to be able to play in those games, and I think you're seeing other players in the league kind of face the same thing. As long as the owners are happy."

Haliburton isn't alone in voicing his displeasure over the 65-game rule. On Tuesday's "Inside the NBA" on TNT, Vince Carter, Candice Parker and Jamal Crawford questioned if the league needed to revisit the new ruling. While Crawford opined players shouldn't have to "risk their livelihood" just to meet a quota, Parker lamented that players stand to "lose real money" over something out of their control.