Report: NBA advised to introduce rule change to penalize transition fouls

The NBA competition committee recommended the league implement a rule change that would curtail the number of deliberate fouls meant to stop a team in transition, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania on Tuesday.

Such infractions are usually referred to as "take fouls," when one player intentionally fouls a ball-handler in transition to stop a fast break and allow their team to reset defensively. The competition committee reportedly discussed this season's uptick in take fouls, spurring their suggestion to the league office.

Take fouls aren't the same as clear-path fouls, which already reward the offensive team with two free throws and renewed possession on the sideline.

FIBA, and by extension the Olympics, play with an "unsportsmanlike foul" that specifically punishes players who illegally thwart a fast break. A fouled player who wasn't in the act of shooting receives two free throws, and their team keeps possession of the ball with an inbound from the sideline. A player is disqualified from the rest of the game if they commit two unsportsmanlike fouls.

It's unclear whether the NBA is considering the FIBA rule or a unique variation to deter players from committing take fouls.