NBA lockout: What about the draft?

Look for the lockout beard to claim Stern's face once again

Not being the brightest mathematician, my freshman year of high school I found myself wedged in a math class with snot nosed, hormone in-raged, screeching 7th and 8th graders... I was one of two 9th graders in the class (and the other, an "Einstein" who used to stick sowing needles into his palm... great company right?).

As miserable as that experience was, like many historical events, I am able to now gleam from it a greater understanding of how Jimmer Fredette might of felt as one of the few 4 year college players in a draft of one and done's... like sticking needles in your palm.

Fortunately for me, I was able to move on out of Jr. High and into my sophomore year. I was then placed with other mathematical "slows" my own age. God bless "No child left behind"!

Unfortunately for the Jimmer, he may of just been placed on an team busting open with "needle in palm" types.

Good luck with that James.

Jimmer is a rather rare bread in today's "youth and potential over proven experience" style of NBA draft classes. One and done has gone from being the new baby elephant at the zoo, to just another pigeon in the city. Nothing against the pigeons of the league, but if a new flock are gonna learn to fly every year, can we at least keep more of them in the city park until they are less likely to "bomb" in mid flight (Hassan Whiteside anybody)?

What the front door am I talking about!? I'd like to see a better transition, with more options, from High school all-star to NBA rookie. The one and done, or the Jimmer four are fine, but shouldn't there even be more options? I would say yes, and can think of a few depressed NBA young guys (did I mention Hassan Whiteside) who would agree.

So assuming Adam Silver and Derrick Fischer are diligent readers of the Sports Cave, here is the second instalment of...

The NBA Lockout: How to fix it - The Draft & Rookie Development. (Read the first installment here)

The LeBron Clause

When LeBron opted to pass over the college experience (or took too much cha-ching to be allowed to play in college) he did so with a pretty good perfect understanding that he not only was going to be a first rounder, but a lotto draftee.

Mr. James is why the league needs to be able to draft out of high school again (18 year old+), to of missed the rookie season of L.J. would have been a shame.

Now what makes it the LeBron rule is where he was drafted...

Rule: Any player drafted out of high school (18 years or older) must spend 1 full season in the D-league if not selected as a lottery pick, and 2 full seasons if selected in the 2nd round/or signed as an un-drafted free agent.

This would greatly discourage any player from signing with an agent unless they felt very strongly they were a going as a high pick, and it would discourage a franchise from reaching too much late in the 1st and in the 2nd round.

It's not perfect, but it does give options to both players and franchises.

The Jimmer Clause

Jimmer spent four years becoming a better player without getting a dime. Mostly because he had to to get the exposure he needed, but there is no doubt he is a much better player today than after his Freshman year at BYU.

He will be able to contribute at a much higher level right out of the gate... he should be rewarded for the hard work he put in.

Rule1 : If a college player spends four seasons in college, his first 2 year's salary do not count towards the cap space of the team that drafts him for those two years.

The same four season player skips his rookie salary structure and starts his structure at the mid level exception if he is drafted in the first round.

If he is drafted in the 2nd round or as an un-drafted free agent, he is due to receive the same salary amount as any other 2nd rounder, but unlike any other 2nd rounder, is given the same guaranteed years as a first rounder.

Rule 2: A player that is drafted after his third season gets all the above, except he does not skip his rookie contract, and only his first year salary does not count towards the teams cap.

Rule 3: A player drafted after his 2nd season receives the same as the 3 college season player, but the franchise that drafts him does not receive any salary cap advantages.

Rule 4: A player who leaves after one season (one and done) receives the same as the 2 season college player, except does not receive the guaranteed contract if drafted in the 2nd round.

I almost called this the "No name guy from Iran Clause" as I was thinking about all the well developed, experienced college players that were passed on this last draft in the second round to pick up "some no name guy from Iran"!

By placing these draft rules into effect, the NCAA would also be more cooperative with the NBA. Allowing a much later date for college players to withdraw their names from the draft able players list and still maintain their college eligibility.

I had a few young students in that math class that actually became pretty good friends, and even helped me a lot with my sweet math skills.

NBA, meet NCAA. NCAA, meet NBA. I know you two would be great friends if you would stop trying to knock each other out!

If the NCAA would help guide great players to an NBA career instead of practically penalizing them if they even think about the NBA, the NBA would be much more "helpful" with donations and clinics. If you regulate those type of things instead of outlawing them both sides could benefit greatly.

and finally, one more though...

Just got this from a good friend of mine, Cody (Check out his blog here). Interesting possibility if the NBA lockout takes the whole season...

"Fist of all, let's hope it doesn't come to this.

So I read your tweet about where the Jazz might pick if the entire NBA season is cancelled. (Again, not hoping for that) I couldn't think of any precedence in the NBA, but I remembered that the NHL was locked out all of the 2004- 2005 season. Here is what they did (via Wikipedia) "As a lockout cancelled the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on July 22, 2005. Teams were assigned 1 to 3 balls based on their playoff appearances and first overall draft picks from the past three years. According to the draft order, the selection worked its way up to 30 as usual; then instead of repeating the order as in past years, the draft "snaked" back down to the team with the first pick. Therefore the team with the first pick overall would not pick again until the 60th pick. The team with the 30th pick would also get the 31st pick. The draft was only seven rounds in length, compared to nine rounds in years past." Not sure if the NBA would do something similar but who knows? Another tidbit, that draft was the year the Pens nabbed Sidney Crosby. Things are looking dim. On PTI today the ESPN capologist pegged the odds of missing the entire season at 75%. 75%! I hope he is wrong."

I wonder if there is a written rule for this, or if it is just a "make it up as you go" kinda thing... just evidence that we are once again on a path that has never been tread.

Thanks Cody.

So now you have it, installment two on How to fix the lockout.

Mr. Stern, I will expect my "mediator fee" check to be in the mail.