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NBA issues new rules for replacement players, two-way contracts

The NBA has experienced a major COVID-19 outbreak, forcing many players to enter the league’s health and safety protocol.

The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams affected. Six players and head coach Frank Vogel are in the protocol, so the Lakers have had to field short-handed rosters for games.

To combat the unavailable players, teams have used the hardship exemption.

The Lakers recently signed Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day deal using the exemption, but one player hasn’t been enough for teams missing multiple players under contract.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the NBA will allow teams to sign multiple replacement players depending on how many players under contract are out:

Two-way players will also not have game limits:

For the Lakers, this means Chaundee Brown and Jay Huff can play more without worrying about having to return to the South Bay Lakers.

The Lakers are likely to sign more players given this change to offset the several currently sidelined.

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