A Los Angeles Clippers player has floated a radical rule change in response to growing frustration around NBA officiating, and the idea is already gaining traction in light of recent playoff controversies.
The suggestion comes at a time when refereeing standards have once again come under the spotlight, particularly after the Lakers’ Game 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where players and coaches openly questioned how the game was being called.
That context is what makes the proposal stand out. Because it is not just theoretical. It feels tied to what fans and players are watching right now.
Bogdan Bogdanovic suggests ‘red card’ rule to eliminate flopping
In a post shared via X, Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic proposed a dramatic solution to what he sees as a growing issue in the league.
“I think it’s time for a red card in basketball. If you flop to get advantage on a play, play gets reviewed, instant red card. Thank you!” he tweeted.
The idea borrows from soccer, where a red card results in immediate ejection, and applies it to flopping, something the NBA has already tried to address through technical fouls and fines.
Under current rules, players can be penalized for flopping with a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul and a free throw for the opposing team, but those violations do not lead to ejection.
Bogdanovic’s suggestion goes significantly further, effectively calling for zero tolerance on plays that are deemed deceptive after review.
LA Lakers vs OKC Thunder Game 2 controversy adds fuel to officiating debate
The timing of the comment is hard to ignore given what unfolded in Game 2 between the Lakers and Thunder, a game that quickly became defined as much by officiating as by the final score.
The Lakers were visibly frustrated throughout the night, with head coach JJ Redick criticizing what he described as inconsistent calls and a lack of protection for players like LeBron James, who has seen limited trips to the free-throw line despite frequent contact near the rim.
While the raw numbers did not show a massive disparity, with Oklahoma City attempting 26 free throws compared to the Lakers’ 21, the frustration centered more on the nature and timing of the calls rather than the totals themselves.
Several key moments added to that tension, including a flagrant foul review involving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and multiple instances where Lakers players believed physical defense went unpunished.
Even Austin Reaves confronted officials postgame, describing the interaction as “disrespectful,” which only highlighted how strongly the team felt about the situation.
That environment is exactly what gives ideas like Bogdanovic’s more attention. Because when officiating becomes the story, fans and players start looking for solutions. Even the extreme ones.
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