NBA Expected to Change Draft Age to 18
Gone were the days of the NBA welcoming high school talent.
We once saw tremendous athletes such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett make the jump from high school to the NBA prior to the league adjusting the draft eligible age in 2005 up to 19.
Now, players will soon be able to once again make that leap.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on Monday the NBA and NBPA are expected to agree on moving the draft eligibility age back to 18. This would go into effect in the 2024 NBA Draft, according to the report.
Both sides are negotiating a new CBA, as Charania points out:
"With a Dec. 15 mutual opt-out date looming for the NBA and the Players Association under their current CBA, both sides are in the midst of serious conversations over key points that will make up the league’s new CBA. Top officials from the NBA and NBPA will hold their next in-person meeting at the end of this month, sources told The Athletic, a session that will set the stage for the final outcome."- Shams Charania
Obviously, not every high school player will be as skilled as some of the aforementioned names. That's partly the reason why the league upped the age to 19, as many players tried (and failed) thinking they didn't need more development.
The landscape of basketball continues to change with NIL deals, overseas allurement and G League improvement. Reverting the draft eligible age back to 18 is another step in the process that can help shape the future of the sport.
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