The NBA has finally made progress in creating alternatives for players.
One of the most tallying stories in the NBA over the past couple of seasons has been what to do with elite, young talent.
With that in mind, in 2006 the League enacted a rule to protect young players — based on the belief that players coming out of high school would be “thrown into the fire” of NBA competition too quickly. That rule was the now infamous ‘One-and-Done” (that is, the ability to migrate to the NBA after playing one year of college ball).
But the rule, which created a different set of issues, has been criticized widely for restricting players’ options and making a sham of the college game.
Things will now change. On August 18th, the NBA released news about a partnership program with its minor league affiliate, the G-League, that will change the landscape for select high school talent.
In the summer of 2019, the League will offer $125,000 contracts to “elite high schoolers,” who’ll then play for one of the G-League teams. Those players will, in effect, bypass collegiate play in favor of going pro directly out of high schools. For them, ‘one’ will be done.
Make no mistake about it: the new policy has blockbuster implications. For one thing, by agreeing to the $125,000 deal, players will be able to provide for themselves and their families. Beyond the payoff, they will also be able to sign shoe deals and other endorsement contracts–both forbidden by the NCAA.
The policy will also have a big impact on college basketball, especially at programs that have taken great advantage form One-and-Done, as Kentucky and Duke have done. Overall, we may see more players commit to three or four years of college ball. if that happens, then college basketball might finally be more like it was intended to be.
However, let’s also face facts. What the NBA offers will only apply to a small number of players. It won’t replace One-and-Done; it will supplement it. That means the new NBA move isn’t a long-term solution to the underlying problem.
But, at the very least, the new rule will ease a highly restricted labor market by expanding players’ options. And it will help level the playing field of college competition.
