The Onion draft column
I know it was tongue in cheek (every player in college declaring for the draft), but it got me thinking, why shouldn't this be the rule?
Everyone who has completed one year of college is eligible for the draft. All of those individuals who do not sign agents retain their eligibility to play in the NCAA (contrary to the current rule, where you can only declare and return once). Contracts must be signed by August 1, or the player goes back to college. The NBA team retains the rights in the individual drafted until before the next season's draft (remember, this happened with Larry Bird, who was drafted by Auerbach and then played his final season at Indiana St.). This (largely, though not completely) could provide a lot of protection for individuals who make the mistake of declaring too soon.
I guess here are some potential problems:
1) Increased risk for NBA teams - e.g., drafting Jason Williams with a 2001 lottery pick, but he comes back to school. Delays Williams' entry with that team for one year (but the team does have him locked up).
2) Increased risk for college teams - e.g., Duke has no guarantee that Williams won't be persuaded by being taken #2 overall in the draft, even though he's declared his intention to stay. The lateness of the decision means there's no ability to compensate for his unexpected departure. This is likely to have minimal overall impact - almost certainly no more than 10 players, per year, but more likely in the neighborhood of 5 or fewer (I'm not talking about underclassmen who get drafted in total, but underclassmen who have told their coaches, unequivocally, that they're returning, but then leave after they get drafted).
3) Players deciding whether or not to sign contracts without representation. This is hugely mitigated by the NBA salary structure. It is my understanding that draft positions (at least in the first round) have guaranteed contracts at fixed value, so there is no negotiation. Second round contracts are not guaranteed, but I think are capped at a certain limit. So, a player has no wiggle room to negotiate the terms of his contract, diminishing the need for an agent (at least in terms of the team contract - endorsements are a whole other ballgame).
Thoughts?
Just be you. You is enough. - K, 4/5/10, 0:13.8 to play, 60-59 Duke.
You're all jealous hypocrites. - Titus on Laettner
You see those guys? Animals. They're animals. - SIU Coach Chris Lowery, on Duke