WNBA approves four rule changes for 2018

The WNBA Board of Governors approved four rules changes Thursday for the 2018 season related to the WNBA Draft, the selection of All-Star Game coaches, the administration of free throws and the concussion protocol.

Teams will be permitted to trade first-round draft picks in successive seasons. First-round draft picks in both the immediately succeeding draft and the next draft may be traded from Feb. 1 until the immediately succeeding draft. Teams were previously required to retain at least one first-round pick in either the immediately succeeding draft or the next draft.

The coaching staffs of the teams with the best records in each conference following the Friday games played two weeks before the All-Star Game will serve as All-Star Game coaches. The head coach of the prior year’s conference champion had served as the All-Star head coach provided they were still with the team.

A delay-of-game penalty will now be assessed if a free-throw shooter ventures beyond the three-point line between attempts.

A player who is unable to shoot her free throws or participate in a jump ball due to injury may re-enter the game if she completes the locker room evaluation required under the WNBA concussion policy and is deemed not to have a concussion. Players previously couldn’t return to the game. The new rule is consistent with the NBA policy implemented prior to this season.