Re: NBA, NBPA Won't Lower Minimum Age For Draft As Part Of Next CBA

[RealGM Wiretap]

The NBA and NBPA have tabled the possibility of lowering the minimum age to enter the draft as part of its next collective bargaining agreement, which will mean the "one-and-done" rule will continue.

The league wanted to eliminate the rule, but the players wanted to ensure veteran players would be taken care of as part of the change.

NBA owners and executives were largely indifferent or fully against returning to high school gymnasiums to evaluate players, and even less enthusiastic about that idea without concessions from the NBPA on providing increased access to pre-draft player medical information and increased participation in several elements of the draft combine.

The rise of financial opportunities for non-NBA players has softened the NBPA's belief there needed to be an aggressive push for lowering the draft limi

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

[Johnny Bball]

You have to be kidding me that the PA wants concessions. This shouldnt come with any money attached for the players when it going to extend some careers and therefore earnings by a year of these new members. Its not vets that will lose a job, its that 15th man who was just in the G league or on a 10 day. There aren't that many high school players every year. Kind of stupid for the PA to turn it down.

And just going to allow the NCAA to keep outdrawing them.

[dougthonus]

Probably better for both sides to table this.

The league is better off with players going to college, making a name for themselves, and entering the league more skilled. The league would probably be better off with a 2 and done rule and having almost all rookies more ready to contribute.

The PA represents existing players, adding HS players may help future players, but doesn't help the current voting contingency, and doesn't ultimately swing the needle in any meaningful way.

The fact that the types of prospects who could go from HS to the NBA can probably make as much in college as their NBA deal now makes the whole thing somewhat moot anyway from a "the kids are so screwed if they get hurt in college" perspective.

No one should feel strongly about this issue, but it's probably a slight negative for everyone involved.

[MartyConlonJr]

Probably not a perfect solution, but here is my proposal, and the numbers are just thrown out to demonstrate, should be tweaked:
- High School players can put themselves up for an 'early eligibility' and that is, they can be selected in the first X picks, let's say first 5 picks.
- 1 year college players can put themselves up for 'early eligibility' which means they can be selected in the lottery only. If they don't make it, they are able to return to college. Not sure how Agents etc would work with that.
- 1 year players can make themselves 'fully eligible' and that is like the normal rule.
- 2 year+ players are just same old rules.

Idea is you want your LeBrons, Dwight Howards etc to be in out of High School. You don't want your Dorell Wright's. An exec team picking a high school player in top 5 probably means they are very good, or there is slim pickings.

That being said, Kwame, Eddy Curry, Jonathan Bender etc went Top 5 and maybe should have gone to college.

Maybe HS is #1 pick only? That would be wild.

[Red8911]

Probably not a perfect solution, but here is my proposal, and the numbers are just thrown out to demonstrate, should be tweaked:
- High School players can put themselves up for an 'early eligibility' and that is, they can be selected in the first X picks, let's say first 5 picks.
- 1 year college players can put themselves up for 'early eligibility' which means they can be selected in the lottery only. If they don't make it, they are able to return to college. Not sure how Agents etc would work with that.
- 1 year players can make themselves 'fully eligible' and that is like the normal rule.
- 2 year+ players are just same old rules.

Idea is you want your LeBrons, Dwight Howards etc to be in out of High School. You don't want your Dorell Wright's. An exec team picking a high school player in top 5 probably means they are very good, or there is slim pickings.

That being said, Kwame, Eddy Curry, Jonathan Bender etc went Top 5 and maybe should have gone to college.

Maybe HS is #1 pick only? That would be wild.

What difference would it make if Kwame Brown or Eddy Curry went to college ? Would they have been better players ? NBA is the best place to be to train and develop for basketball. Earlier is better for anyone who could get drafted at that age. The only reason the NBA is doing the “one and done” rule is for the NCAA, they would become irrelevant without the top talent. In reality there’s no reason for any of these basketball players to go to college, it’s a waste of their time.

[kalel123]

Bad decision.

HIgh school players were never the problem and will be even less so with G league. They weren't that many to begin with and this stupid rule has exponentially increased the number of one-and-done's who aren't ready. LeBron, Kobe, KG, McGrady, etc. (i.e. best of best in modern era) all came straight from high school while one year of college wouldn't have made an ounce of difference for those that busted.

If they wanted to protect the vets, should've negotiated an increase of roster size. Heck, they need that more seeing the number of injuries and load management that goes on these days.

[YourGM99]

I think the bigger issue with the vets is they still think/want to contribute by playing in games instead of being mentors to younger players.

[BigTex]

Probably better for both sides to table this.

The league is better off with players going to college, making a name for themselves, and entering the league more skilled. The league would probably be better off with a 2 and done rule and having almost all rookies more ready to contribute.

The PA represents existing players, adding HS players may help future players, but doesn't help the current voting contingency, and doesn't ultimately swing the needle in any meaningful way.

The fact that the types of prospects who could go from HS to the NBA can probably make as much in college as their NBA deal now makes the whole thing somewhat moot anyway from a "the kids are so screwed if they get hurt in college" perspective.

No one should feel strongly about this issue, but it's probably a slight negative for everyone involved.

I dint see much evidence for this. Everybody knows Wambayama, scoot He Derek and the Thompson twins, but I’ll bet 50% of NBA fans can’t name a single college player who is coming up in this draft.

[Future Coach]

Probably better for both sides to table this.

The league is better off with players going to college, making a name for themselves, and entering the league more skilled. The league would probably be better off with a 2 and done rule and having almost all rookies more ready to contribute.

The PA represents existing players, adding HS players may help future players, but doesn't help the current voting contingency, and doesn't ultimately swing the needle in any meaningful way.

The fact that the types of prospects who could go from HS to the NBA can probably make as much in college as their NBA deal now makes the whole thing somewhat moot anyway from a "the kids are so screwed if they get hurt in college" perspective.

No one should feel strongly about this issue, but it's probably a slight negative for everyone involved.

I dint see much evidence for this. Everybody knows Wambayama, scoot He Derek and the Thompson twins, but I’ll bet 50% of NBA fans can’t name a single college player who is coming up in this draft.

In my perspective, the "making a name for themselves" comment is not about fans, but rather about the player being able to make/earn a spot/role for themselves at their current lower level team (G/D-League, NCAA, etc), which in turn will present them with greater visibility (better stats, more mins, etc) to NBA scouts and front office staff. Considering we're talking about the draft here, the scouts and front office are what matters here, not the fans. Fandom can be gained once they're in the NBA.


And I agree 2 years would be better as it would likely result in higher quality of basketball in the NBA, put all roster spots to good/better use, and it would result in better quality of play in those lower leagues, and the NBA should be actively trying to further improve the quality of the G/D-League.

[Medbrat]

Surprised to see the right decision made by silver. There are already too many busts, lowering the age requirement would only increase that number.

[dougthonus]

I dint see much evidence for this. Everybody knows Wambayama, scoot He Derek and the Thompson twins, but I’ll bet 50% of NBA fans can’t name a single college player who is coming up in this draft.

Depends on the year, but absolutely are some stars made in the NCAA tournament every year, and if college guys had to play two tournaments it would be even bigger. That said, I'm not trying to make it sound like this is important to the league, just saying it would be of minor benefit to have prospects come in more mature, with a bit more brand, and have more consistent talent evaluation in the draft because you have more more year of realized potential and one year less of unknown.

[HangTime]

Why not just make them draft eligible, and if a team selects them, the hold onto their draft rights indefinitely.

In the mean time they can go to another pro league or college.

It's just another way to do a draft and stash, you could even do with college players that still have college eligibility.

Heck, even Larry Bird was drafted and returned to college for his senior year.

[tigerae]

Why not just make them draft eligible, and if a team selects them, the hold onto their draft rights indefinitely.

In the mean time they can go to another pro league or college.

It's just another way to do a draft and stash, you could even do with college players that still have college eligibility.

Heck, even Larry Bird was drafted and returned to college for his senior year.

I can get on board with this as long as the draft rights for those players also included some sort of insurance policy where if they get hurt they would be taken care of financially while they recover or get a cash award if they get hurt to the point of not being able to play anymore.

[GoBlue72391]

Probably not a perfect solution, but here is my proposal, and the numbers are just thrown out to demonstrate, should be tweaked:
- High School players can put themselves up for an 'early eligibility' and that is, they can be selected in the first X picks, let's say first 5 picks.
- 1 year college players can put themselves up for 'early eligibility' which means they can be selected in the lottery only. If they don't make it, they are able to return to college. Not sure how Agents etc would work with that.
- 1 year players can make themselves 'fully eligible' and that is like the normal rule.
- 2 year+ players are just same old rules.

Idea is you want your LeBrons, Dwight Howards etc to be in out of High School. You don't want your Dorell Wright's. An exec team picking a high school player in top 5 probably means they are very good, or there is slim pickings.

That being said, Kwame, Eddy Curry, Jonathan Bender etc went Top 5 and maybe should have gone to college.

Maybe HS is #1 pick only? That would be wild.

What difference would it make if Kwame Brown or Eddy Curry went to college ? Would they have been better players ? NBA is the best place to be to train and develop for basketball. Earlier is better for anyone who could get drafted at that age. The only reason the NBA is doing the “one and done” rule is for the NCAA, they would become irrelevant without the top talent. In reality there’s no reason for any of these basketball players to go to college, it’s a waste of their time.

Playing big minutes in a power college conference is probably more beneficial than playing sporadically as a rookie in the NBA and being shifted back and forth to the G League, which would probably be the case for most HS draft picks. It's why baseball teams would rather have their top prospects playing and starting every day in the minor leagues instead of riding the bench in the majors and maybe playing once a week.

I still think HS players should be draft eligible, but there is some logic to not allowing it. Back when it was allowed, NBA teams would screw themselves by drafting all these raw, unready HS guys who ended up busting. Mental preparedness is a bigger part than physical or skill development, and a year in college can help with that, but it also gives young guys another year to bulk up and add good weight before entering the NBA.

[GoBlue72391]

Bad decision.

HIgh school players were never the problem and will be even less so with G league. They weren't that many to begin with and this stupid rule has exponentially increased the number of one-and-done's who aren't ready. LeBron, Kobe, KG, McGrady, etc. (i.e. best of best in modern era) all came straight from high school while one year of college wouldn't have made an ounce of difference for those that busted.

If they wanted to protect the vets, should've negotiated an increase of roster size. Heck, they need that more seeing the number of injuries and load management that goes on these days.

For all the LeBrons, Kobes, KGs, and TMacs, there are even more Kwame Browns, Eddy Currys, and a bunch of straight from HS late 1st round and 2nd round picks who essentially ruined their pro careers by going to the NBA before they were ready. It's too tempting for an 18-year-old to turn down guaranteed millions in favor of further development in college, and the majority of them are not mentally ready for it.

[GoBlue72391]

Probably better for both sides to table this.

The league is better off with players going to college, making a name for themselves, and entering the league more skilled. The league would probably be better off with a 2 and done rule and having almost all rookies more ready to contribute.

The PA represents existing players, adding HS players may help future players, but doesn't help the current voting contingency, and doesn't ultimately swing the needle in any meaningful way.

The fact that the types of prospects who could go from HS to the NBA can probably make as much in college as their NBA deal now makes the whole thing somewhat moot anyway from a "the kids are so screwed if they get hurt in college" perspective.

No one should feel strongly about this issue, but it's probably a slight negative for everyone involved.

I dint see much evidence for this. Everybody knows Wambayama, scoot He Derek and the Thompson twins, but I’ll bet 50% of NBA fans can’t name a single college player who is coming up in this draft.

Anyone who follows basketball knows Brandon Miller.

[kalel123]

Bad decision.

HIgh school players were never the problem and will be even less so with G league. They weren't that many to begin with and this stupid rule has exponentially increased the number of one-and-done's who aren't ready. LeBron, Kobe, KG, McGrady, etc. (i.e. best of best in modern era) all came straight from high school while one year of college wouldn't have made an ounce of difference for those that busted.

If they wanted to protect the vets, should've negotiated an increase of roster size. Heck, they need that more seeing the number of injuries and load management that goes on these days.

For all the LeBrons, Kobes, KGs, and TMacs, there are even more Kwame Browns, Eddy Currys, and a bunch of straight from HS late 1st round and 2nd round picks who essentially ruined their pro careers by going to the NBA before they were ready. It's too tempting for an 18-year-old to turn down guaranteed millions in favor of further development in college, and the majority of them are not mentally ready for it.

This is such a BS blind claim cause there aren't that many straight-from-high-school players to begin with that there are just as many who succeeded in comparison to who failed if not more. Even with those late picks, I can even name you a number of them who actually succeeded. Rashard Lewis, Al Harrington, and Lou Williams. Talent shines through and those who failed as late picks wouldn't have made it even after college. After all, there's a very good reason why they were picked late.