By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a league where physical preservation is becoming as strategic as the game itself, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle added his voice to a growing chorus of leaders calling for a reimagined NBA calendar. Speaking Tuesday before a matchup against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, he echoed recent sentiments from Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr regarding the necessity of a shorter regular season.
While acknowledging the logistical hurdles, Carlisle noted that the sheer evolution of the sport might necessitate a structural shift.
“It’d be great if it were possible to do that. There would be a lot involved with it. An obvious big revenue shift,” said the 66-year-old coach. “The question is, would everyone be willing to do that if it were deemed that it would really help the game. It’s a lively conversation.”
“That extra week to build a base in terms of strength, many layers of protection that you can get for the body, I’ve always wondered if the effort to have fewer back-to-backs was really worth it,” Carlisle mentioned, noting that condensed training camps have limited player conditioning. “Essentially, you’re playing every other day.”
This debate arrives as the NBA prepares for a pivotal Board of Governors vote on March 24–25, to explore adding franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas. If approved for the 2028–29 season, a 32-team league could offer a mathematical clean slate to resolve scheduling fatigue. However, expansion complicates the map. Adding two Western teams would likely force a franchise like the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies into the Eastern Conference.
Ultimately, Carlisle agreed with Kerr that the modern game is simply more taxing than it was even five years ago.
“To get to the heart of the matter, you’re going to have to talk about the finances of it. I certainly agree that it’s a conversation worth having,” said Carlisle. “Steve is right on point with that.”