Commissioner Adam Silver said tonight that the NBA should consider changing its minimum age limit. In his annual state-of-the-league address as part of All-Star weekend, Silver said the issue “needs to be studied more,” relays Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com.
He told reporters that players association Executive Director Michele Roberts agrees that the current minimum of 19 years old may need to be altered. No changes were made to the age requirement in the latest collective bargaining agreement that was agreed upon in December. That document takes effect July 1st, and neither side can opt out before the end of the 2022/23 season.
Silver said the issue may need to be addressed “outside of the bright lights of collective bargaining.”
“I think both of us, while our traditional positions have been the league would like to raise the minimum age from 19 to 20, and at least Michele’s stated position is that she’d like to lower it from 19 to 18, I think there’s an acknowledgement that the issue is far more complex than that,” Silver said. “And it requires sort of all the constituent groups to be at the table.
“And I will say — and maybe it’s a little bit of a different position from my standpoint — I think rather than standing here and saying league’s goal is to get from 19 to 20, I think I have a better understanding of the issue now as well as I talk to some of the young players who are coming into our league who have only completed a portion of their freshman year in college and have a better understanding of what the conditions are for them both academically and in terms of their basketball requirements.”
There were some other highlights from Silver’s speech:
- Charlotte will be considered as a future All-Star Game host. This year’s game was moved to New Orleans because the league wanted to register its opposition to North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Silver said Charlotte may be given the 2019 game if the law is changed.
- The league will continue to monitor inclusivity when awarding events such as the All-Star Game. Texas is considering a similar proposal that would prevent transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice. “Our values, our league-wide values in terms of equality and inclusion are paramount to this league and all the members of the NBA family, and I think those jurisdictions that are considering legislation similar to HB2 are on notice that that is an important factor for us,” Silver said. “Those values are an important factor for us in deciding where we take a special event like an All-Star Game.”
- The commissioner was disappointed that he wasn’t able to resolve the feud between Charles Oakley and James Dolan. Silver said the Knicks owner invited Oakley back to Madison Square Garden, but the former player hasn’t accepted. “The fan in me and someone who’s known Charles for a long time — I hope at some point he does return to Madison Square Garden,” Silver said. “But ultimately, that’s his decision.”
I’d like the NBA to adopt a rule that a player can go pro straight out of high school or go to college for at least 2 years. This is similar to MLB, except they have to stay 3 years.
Hell yes this is obvious, either make the decision to go pro out of high school or got to college for at least 3 years and get a real education. Not only would it improve the NCAA but also the G-League.
18-19 year olds aren’t mentally or physically prepared for the rigors of life in the NBA. I understand the financial argument in favor of the players, but the money will always be there. A mandatory stint in the D-League for 6-months might be a good idea.
ChiSoxCity for King! He is the perfect guy to decide what 18 year olds need to think and will be a great evaluator of their physicalities.
Adam Silver is a clown and always will be.
I think 18 is prefect. Legally an the players is an adult and can make his own decisions. If they are under 18 by the draft they have to go to college unless they have permission from there parents to enter the draft
The NBA has become a developmental league which is watering down the product. During its golden years in the 80’s and 90’s there were so many more fundamentally sound players which is why they need to change the rule. Plus you get 2 years to evaluate a kid instead of 1. The NBA shouldn’t worry about anything except what’s best for the product on the court.
Karl Anthony Towns probably disagrees that some 22 year old 1970s player was better than Towns’ rookie year.
There’s always one, that’s the problem. If you don’t pick #1 in the draft you’re getting a role player. That’s why the NBA is the only league where teams are built through free agency.
So what, Larry? Do you need to be reminded that for every K-A-Ts, there are plenty of Okafors, Anthony Bennetts, Dion Waiters, MKGs, Andre Bargnanis, Hasheem Thabeets, Adam Morrisons, Darki Milicics, Derrick Williams, Michael Beasleys, blah blah blah. Yes, there are always the special players in every draft class, but there are more misses than hits.
Commissioner Silver for President
Is this in response to Kyrie saying the Earth is flat?
Wow I didn’t realize quite how uneducated a lot of the posters are on here. I personally don’t believe these boards should be used as a place for hate speech and would like to see Trade Rumors clean it up
Where are you seeing hate speech here? App has been glitchy and only loads some comments sometimes so I could be wrong, I just don’t see it.
That stuff I was referring to has since been taken down
I’d be in favor of 20 and not 18 but it seems like 19 is a good age. Perfect example is Jermaine O’Neal. He came out of high school and was on Portland’s roster for about 4 or 5 years and didn’t do much. When he was 23 he went to Indiana and became a very very good player.