As long as we are talking changes to rules, I have weird one. What if a free throw was more like (not completely alike) a penalty shot in hockey, where all the teammates have to start on the opposite side of the court, but the person fouled has the ball at the three point line and the fouler has to defend them.
Refs begin the clock on the whistle and the foulee/fouler have about 2-3 seconds to make a play as the rest of their teams rush down to get involved. Another foul by the defender on the ensuing penalty shot play is a yellow card. Two yellows is a red or a disqualification. Yellows could also be what we call flagrant fouls today. The yellow card on the penalty shot would discourage defenders from fouling, which gives the offensive player a distinct advantage.
Combined with rules that have a point goal instead of a clock, when its gamepoint, anyone who fouls on a penalty shot is disqualified automatically. This keeps the game moving and still encourages the action of a game-winning shot, instead of a deadball free throw.
I think this encourages the game to be more free-flowing.
I, for one, do not like games that add foreign ways to score. I always disliked the extra point in football (or two point conversion). I always disliked penalty shots in soccer, but at least its a live ball after the shot. I don't love free throws in basketball.
The goal of penalties should not change the basic DNA of the game. They should penalize the offending team, yes. But they should not introduce foreign concepts into the game that change the momentum or flow.
My penalty shot solution could be cool to watch. Imagine Giannis fouling James on a game point, and it going to a one-on-one penalty shot for the game.
I have other ideas. I think basketball players should be allowed to take the ball out of bounds like soccer players do without the ref touching it, unless the refs blow the play dead to allow subs to come on (subs that have already checked in with the scorers table). That would encourage more uptempo play.
I think offensive players get away with far too much physicality. It is not a basketball move to dislodge a defender so you can get by him or get into a fadeaway.
I think defensive players should somehow be encouraged not to foul. 6 fouls per game does not encourage that. If offensive players had to tone down their physicality, I wonder if defensive players could as well while still making plays on the ball. I would not want to take away the excitement of the steal or blocked shot. I worry limited fouls per game would that. Therefore, I think you have to change the offensive players approach too.