Finally: The NBA Is 'Expected' To Get Rid Of The One-And-Done Rule

[Source] - The league and NBPA are expected to agree on moving the age eligibility for the NBA Draft from 19 years old to 18, clearing the way for the return of high school players who want to make the leap to the NBA, per sources with knowledge of the discussions.

The NBA set the draft age limit at 19 years old in 2005. 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.

The reduced age limit for high school-to-NBA jumps would go into effect as early as the 2024 NBA Draft.

This is right. This should be done. It's been a topic for like 5 years now as something that's been viewed as going away and if it should. I have no problem with it going away, even if I hate it for college hoops. Let me get to the point here. College basketball is going to be fine. This isn't the end of college basketball. I just prefer to see the best talent in the sport, even if it's for a year. It gets more eyeballs on the sport and intrigue around the country. I don't have a problem with it. 

We’ve lived in a world already where we’ve seen high school kids go right to the NBA. I’m not necessarily worried about that or curious about that. It’ll be the top-10/15 players each year tops that declare for the NBA. There’s not going to be some mass exodus from college and there’s not going to be a lack of star power in college hoops.

Part of me is a bit surprised the NBA is changing course on this though. When the rule was put in place in 2005, it was to 'protect' the owners. Give them a chance to scout these guys in college and just not in the AAU circuit and high school. I don't know what changed to switch back but it's a bit surprising. 

Now as for the date? I know what everyone is thinking - Bronny James.

He's currently about to be a senior and in the class of 2023. Unless he reclassifies back or goes to prep school or whatever this (shockingly) doesn't impact him. Well, at least not in the way we're thinking. It could impact him in being in the double draft. The draft where the first time the one-and-done is gone and college kids are in it. That double draft could be a huge dagger for the entire class of 2023. You could have a situation where you struggled a bit in college as a freshman, declare and fall even more because teams take the high school senior now. It's a bigger player pool. 

Again, it all has to be voted on but Shams says expected to happen. So I'll take that for its word.