NBA reportedly in serious talks to change draft age eligibility

The NBA and NBA Players Association are serious talks over a new potential Collective Bargaining Agreement that would include a change of the draft age eligibility from 19 to 18, which means a return of the high school-to-NBA moves.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the news, and added that the reduced age limit for high school-to-NBA jumps would go into effect as early as the 2024 NBA Draft.

The NBA set the draft age limit at 19 years old in 2005. Commissioner Adam Silver said in July that he was “hopeful” for the rule changing in the next CBA cycle, and both sides appear motivated to reduce the age eligibility for the draft.

Sources: NBA and NBPA in serious talks on new items for potential Collective Bargaining Agreement:

– Draft age eligibility from 19 to 18, return of high school-to-NBA
– Measure that allows players citing mental health similar to physical injury

More: https://t.co/ecABKkat2H

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 19, 2022

As far back as 2018, Silver said, “I’m not here to say we have a problem,” Silver said, per the Associated Press. “And I love where the league is right now. But I think we can create a better system.”

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.