The NBA did not approve an exception for Luka and Cade. An arbitrator did.
Well, he is specifically called a “challenge” expert, but the result is the same. The appeals went to the NBPA and NBA and they *did not rule*. The agreed that a neutral arbitrator (“challenge expert”) would rule.
Players had to file any appeals no later than Monday, with the regular season ending on Sunday, and a “challenge expert” that was chosen by the NBA and NBPA would then evaluate the appeals and determine if “the sole remedy shall be that the player is deemed eligible for the Applicable Generally Recognized League Honors.”
For Doncic and Cunningham’s cases, the NBA and the NBA players union did not contest the filings, according to The Athletic.