New CBA Not Expected to Include Age Change for NBA Draft

A new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and players union isn’t likely to change the age limit and allow high schoolers to again be eligible to enter the NBA Draft, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Instead, high schoolers will continue to have to wait one year after graduation to become draft-eligible, Wojnarowski added.

Both the league and union have until midnight on Friday to opt out of the current CBA — or extend the opt-out deadline for a third time this season.

Both NBA commissioner Adam Silver and NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio have expressed optimism that a deal can be reached ahead of Friday night, though there is still work to do, per Wojnarowski.

Tremaglio has said the union does not intend to opt out of the current CBA, though Silver has not yet given such assurances.

ESPN Sources: As NBA and NBPA pursue a new CBA ahead of tonight’s opt-out deadline, a deal wouldn’t include a change in the minimum draft age rule ending the “One-and-Done” era. High school players will still need to wait a full year beyond graduation to enter future drafts. pic.twitter.com/VL0UEZpBmT

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 31, 2023