It’s been a while since players had to “play” a full season reason why is simply money NBA owners want to make maximum money so do players, since the league splits everything 50/50. The current deal the league has ends in 2025 and is looking to get 75 Billion in the next deal so don’t be surprised if you see guys like Wendall Carter making 40 million a season or Luca Doncic making 70 Million a season we may see one play maybe Whemby getting a 5 year 500 million dollar deal after his rookie deal is over. That’s peanuts compared to what owners will get with the new TV contract.