The NBA’s One and Done rule, which prevents players from going straight from high school to the league, may be out of date.
Shams Charania, a journalist for The Athletic, reported that the NBA and the players’ association must lower the draft eligibility age to 18 as part of a new collective bargaining agreement. In addition, the change may start in 2024, when the new collective bargaining agreement will take effect for the NBA.
The two sides, the league and the players, appear to be getting along as they work towards a new deal. However, the current one only ends in 2024.
A clause in the deal allows both sides to immediately open formal negotiations on the deal by December 15. If the current agreement is reopened, it is a sign that a new pact will be closed later this year.
However, if the current deal is moved to 2023/24, it will be a mechanism to give both sides time to talk, but it will also increase the chance of potential stoppages, as in 2011/12.
In addition, the protection of players’ mental health is also among the union’s main negotiating points. Players want their mental health to be a possible designation for lost time, similar to physical health.
The new policy would likely avoid a situation similar to the one Ben Simmons faced last season. At the time, the Philadelphia 76ers fined him for missing games citing mental health issues. (The two sides later reached a financial settlement over a complaint filed by Simmons.)
NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio said players are also striving for equity in the sport beyond their careers.
“Creating generational wealth is extremely important in this next chapter of the Union. But it’s central to their legacy.” Tremaglio said.
“Historically, we’ve been so focused on making money. However, we all know that to have money, you have to invest.
“We also know that player careers are not long, which makes a plan for after the ball stops bouncing crucial.” Tremaglio added.
