Only one Freshman per year should enter the NBA

[Celtics18]

I don't like the nineteen year old rule to begin with. 

My ideal system includes a full thirty team d-league and a sixteen year old age limit (I realize that 16 is probably highly unrealistic so I'd settle for going back to eighteen).

I'd like to see teams built under a system that prioritized player development by NBA franchises over having that basketball development done by colleges and universities.

I don't know if it would ultimately be better for the bottom line of NBA owners to cut out the NCAA middle man, but I definitely think it would be better for NBA basketball.

[fairweatherfan]

 That was a horrible decision by Portland and just more proof players should stay in school. Especially big guys with foot problems and leg length problems.

 Durant would be the hands down #1 selection today. At that time there still was an infatuation with big guy's.

Oh, so we'd be picking the one freshman based on hindsight, instead of what the opinions at the time would be.  Sounds legit.

I'm sure Durant would happily give up the 20+ million for another year to learn under the wing of Rick Barnes. 

[KG Living Legend]

 One team picked Oden over Durant. I'm 95% sure Ainge takes Durant there. Durant was a can't miss prospect. I would have been too scared not to take Durant to not take Durant.

 Oden was impressive physically Yes. Played half the year with a bad wrist.

 Durant dominated the entire season he and Carmelo Anthony were the best and most fun College players I've seen in a long time.
 
 I bet 18 teams would have taken Durant first. Portland always picks the big guys at the wrong time.

[KG Living Legend]

 Foul, so you give one scenario. How bout Kidd Gilchrist there #2 pick in the draft, how about derrick Williams and Anthony Bennett.

 Maybe year two would have been good for there games and there maturity. Okafor sure looks like he could have used some more maturing doesn't he Foul.

 I'll tell you one thing the team's would have certainly benefited from year two watching Joel Embiid and Greg Oden limping through the season.

 Or another year to see that Kidd Gilchrist can't shoot, Jabari Parker looks like a Left Tackle for the Bears.

 That's for sure teams would benefit big.

[KG Living Legend]

 What about James Young? Can you tell me with a straight face he would have not gotten better in year two in college or gained more confidence being the lead guard for his team. Come on man your argument is shallow.

[BballTim]

 One team picked Oden over Durant. I'm 95% sure Ainge takes Durant there. Durant was a can't miss prospect. I would have been too scared not to take Durant to not take Durant.

 Oden was impressive physically Yes. Played half the year with a bad wrist.

 Durant dominated the entire season he and Carmelo Anthony were the best and most fun College players I've seen in a long time.
 
 I bet 18 teams would have taken Durant first. Portland always picks the big guys at the wrong time.

  From what I recall espn did a poll of GMs and all but one (supposedly Danny) said they'd have taken Oden over Durant. He was pretty close to a consensus number 1.
 

[PhoSita]

Once you accept that the NBA can restrict player movement at all for the purpose of improving the product on the floor, you have to ditch the moralistic arguments about forcing guys to stay in school.

Ideally you could draft guys while they are still in school and make it so nobody can enter the NBA until they spend two years in college or the D League.   Let guys get their guaranteed contract but not enter the league until they've developed a little.

[Celtics18]

Once you accept that the NBA can restrict player movement at all for the purpose of improving the product on the floor, you have to ditch the moralistic arguments about forcing guys to stay in school.

Ideally you could draft guys while they are still in school and make it so nobody can enter the NBA until they spend two years in college or the D League.   Let guys get their guaranteed contract but not enter the league until they've developed a little.

I don't see anything ideal about that scenario.  I want the opportunity to see the very rare eighteen year olds who are ready to be a quality NBA player show their stuff.

[PhoSita]

Once you accept that the NBA can restrict player movement at all for the purpose of improving the product on the floor, you have to ditch the moralistic arguments about forcing guys to stay in school.

Ideally you could draft guys while they are still in school and make it so nobody can enter the NBA until they spend two years in college or the D League.   Let guys get their guaranteed contract but not enter the league until they've developed a little.

I don't see anything ideal about that scenario.  I want the opportunity to see the very rare eighteen year olds who are ready to be a quality NBA player show their stuff.

Improves the college game and on the whole improves the NBA game too. It's rare that a one and done rookie actually helps a team win

[Celtics18]

Once you accept that the NBA can restrict player movement at all for the purpose of improving the product on the floor, you have to ditch the moralistic arguments about forcing guys to stay in school.

Ideally you could draft guys while they are still in school and make it so nobody can enter the NBA until they spend two years in college or the D League.   Let guys get their guaranteed contract but not enter the league until they've developed a little.

I don't see anything ideal about that scenario.  I want the opportunity to see the very rare eighteen year olds who are ready to be a quality NBA player show their stuff.

Improves the college game and on the whole improves the NBA game too. It's rare that a one and done rookie actually helps a team win

Agree about the "rare" part.  That's why I wrote it in my post--even added a "very."

Still, I don't want those rare talents to be prohibited from playing in the NBA when they come around once every three or four years or something. 

I also think less superstarry youngsters should be able to be called into action when their team needs them.  It's exciting to see these young kids with talent and potential go up against the big boys.

[Forza Juventus]

Players should be allowed to enter the draft after high school but that won't happen so one and done should stay the way it is. The d league max salary should drastically increase which would encourage players going there instead of college. Colleges should pay collegiate athletes as well. I also think nba rosters should be increased so more young players can play in the d league and have a nba contract.