NBA's new Collective Bargaining Agreement leaves one-and-done rule untouched

A league-wide lockout has been avoided.

On Thursday, the NBA announced that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement has been ratified. The seven-year agreement between the NBA Board of Governors and the Players Association will begin on July 1, 2023, and run through the 2029-30 season. Among the major changes in the latest CBA include a new tax apron for big spending franchises, investment opportunities in the NBA and WNBA for the players, no penalties for marijuana use, a 65-game minimum for major individual awards, an in-season tournament, and much more.

But one notable potential rule change was not included in the agreement. The “one-and-done” rule was left untouched, meaning players will need to spend at least one year post-high school before becoming eligible for the NBA Draft, which has been the case since the 2005-06 season.

With the ratification of the new CBA, there will be no change to the One and Done rule for the next 8 seasons

I know some don’t like the rule but with the new NIL rules, I think this means the vast majority of the best players will come to College Basketball over next decade

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 27, 2023

Back in the fall, there were serious discussions about ending the “one-and-done” rule, but that ultimately did not end up being the case. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported in March that the tides had shifted against ending the “one-and-done” rule due to multiple factors, NIL being among them.

Wojnarowski indicated that NBA governors and executives are mostly against the idea of going back into high school gyms to evaluate prospects. The NBPA is likewise against ending the “one-and-done” rule, pointing to the possibility of 18-year-olds taking up roster spots and the addition of NIL making it easier for players to make money before going pro.

So for at least the next seven years, potential draft prospects must be at least 19 years old and one full year removed from high school before entering the NBA Draft. Good news for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.