GMs are split on whether raising the NBA’s minimum age is wise, and one of them tells Chad Ford of ESPN.com for an Insider-only piece that there are a lot of teams “eyeing 2015 with some real fear” that the change will be made quickly, stripping next year’s draft of talent. Commissioner Adam Silver is a strong proponent of moving the minimum age up from 19 years old, but the issue would be collectively bargained with the player’s union, which remains without an executive director. I’d be surprised if it happened in time for next year’s draft, but whenever the age goes up, it would no doubt slow the rebuilding process for a few teams. Here’s more:
- In another ESPN.com Insider piece, Amin Elhassan hears from an Eastern Conference executive about a proposal to raise the minimum age to 20 or 21 for collegiate players but keep it at 19 for anyone who entered the D-League out of high school. It’s unclear if the idea is gaining traction within the league.
- Lottery prospect Dario Saric tells Toni Horvat of the Croatian website 24Sata that he believes it would be best for his development to stay in Europe, but the 6’10” forward says he won’t make a decision about whether to declare for this year’s draft until after the season (translation via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando).
- Saric reportedly has a lucrative offer on the table from a Turkish team, and his father tells Horvat and 24Sata colleague Ivan Zuric that his son would also consider other European options that would allow Dario to see sufficient playing time. Predrag Saric wants to see his son remain in Europe for two more seasons (translation via Carchia).