The NBA’s ‘one-and-done’ draft rule has been a point of contention ever since it was put into place back in 2005. That, however, was before Adam Silver took over as commissioner of the league.
Silver has always been someone open to at least considering change in all facets of the game, and one that he has taken a long look at has been the rule that mandates prospective draft candidates are at least one year removed from high school. With huge scandals recently rocking college basketball, now could be the time to act.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Silver has been gathering information for months and a proposed plan would include far more than just allowing 18 year olds to play in the NBA:
A plan is expected to include the NBA starting relationships with elite teenagers while they are in high school, providing skills to help them develop both on and off the court. It would ultimately open an alternate path to the NBA besides playing in college and a way 18-year-olds could earn a meaningful salary either from NBA teams or as part of an enhanced option in the developmental G League, sources said.
The NBA is focusing on getting involved in two important periods in which they currently have minimal contact with prospects: the high school years and the time between high school graduation and when a young player is physically and emotionally ready to join the NBA.
Such a plan would undoubtedly have a major impact on the league as well as the younger players entering.
Many young players get thrown into the NBA world and have no clue how to deal with everything else that comes with it. It’s resulted in several players losing their money, finding they’re unable to deal with the pressures, and falling out of the league,.
This looks as if Silver is willing to commit to not allowing 18 year olds to join the league, but ensuring they will be more ready to do so when they come in, which will help the NBA and the players themselves.
The G League, quickly growing as well, also stands to benefit from such a move as Silver continues to find ways to try and better his NBA.
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