Reducing the minimum age for the NBA draft from 19 to 18 years is a step closer to reality after the league submitted a proposal to the National Basketball Players Association, USA Today reported Thursday.
The report, citing a source, also said the union president and chief executive, Michele Roberts, was planning to review the proposal on Monday. According to USA Today, the timing does not coincide with the knee injury suffered by rookie Duke Zion Williamson on Wednesday night, the NBA's No. 1 expected draft of 2019.
The reported proposal is the first stage of the amendment in the 2022 draft. Players would be allowed to enter the NBA as soon as they finish high school.
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Zion Williamson hurts his knee after the explosion of a shoe
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Duke's Zion Williamson (1) falls in court under Luke Maye (32) in North Carolina, injuring himself and damaging his shoe during the first moments of the match on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at Cameron Indoor Durham Stadium, North Carolina (Robert Willett / Raleigh News & Observer / TNS via Getty Images)
Duke's Zion Williamson (1) falls to the ground with an injury while he was running after the ball with Luke Maye (32) in North Carolina during the first half of a college basketball match. NCAA in Durham, NC, Wednesday, February 20, 2019. (AP Photo / Gerry Broome)
Duke Zion Williamson's striker injured his knee after being injured in the first half of the match on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC (Chuck Liddy / Raleigh News & Observer) . / TNS via Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 20: Duke Blue Devils' No. 1 Zion Williamson reacts after falling from his shoes against Luke Maye # 32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their match at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 20: A detailed view of Zion Williamson's # 1 home run of the Duke Blue Devils against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their match at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, SC. North. (Photo by Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – Feb. 20: Duke Blue Devils' No. 1 Zion Williamson picks up his broken boot in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King / Getty Images)
Duke's Zion Williamson sits down after being injured during the first half of a college basketball game against North Carolina, in Durham, NC, on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Duke may need to determine what will Zion's show look like without his namesake? All because of a monster injury to the most exciting player in college basketball. When his Nike shoe fell, Williamson injured his right knee in the first possession of Duke's 88-72 loss, which ranked first in front of No. 8 North Carolina. (Photo AP / Gerry Broome)
A coach holds Duion's shoes, Zion Williamson, after Williamson left the match due to an injury sustained during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against North Carolina at Durham, North Carolina, Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Duke may need to determine what Zion Show will look like without his name. All because of a monster injury to the most exciting player in college basketball. When his Nike shoe fell, Williamson injured his right knee in the first possession of Duke's 88-72 loss, which ranked first in front of No. 8 North Carolina. (Photo AP / Gerry Broome)
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High school players were negotiated out of the league draft in the 2005 CBA with the one-and-done rule, which stipulates that players must be one year away from their high school or senior grade graduation. 19 years old to be able to enter the project. But NBA commissioner Adam Silver has recently helped change this way of thinking.
At the NBA's meeting of owners in July, Silver said he thought the league should consider reducing the age to 18 years. He also reportedly met the players union last year about lowering the age limit.
Both parties must collectively bargain for any changes to a collective agreement that would have been ratified in 2016.
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