Reports: NBA veterans expressed reservations about high school players taking their spots

Reports have emerged of NBA veterans expressing concerns over their roster spots during the negotiations of the new CBA agreement. Veterans expressed concern about the league potentially allowing high school players to skip college and take away their place on the roster.

However, the new CBA will continue to rely on the one-and-done college criteria until the 2029-30 season, until either the players association or the league opt out of the new CBA in 2028-29.

NBA veterans' concerns contributed to this decision in the new CBA. Here's what Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto said regarding this:

“One other thing that stuck out to me and other executives around the league is high school players not being eligible to be drafted. A lot of people thought that was going to be a thing in this new CBA. I heard some NBA veterans expressed concern over high school players coming in and taking their spots.

"From NBA scouts I talk to, they’re fine not going to high school gyms. One executive said it best to me, ‘I think high school players will be NBA-eligible maybe in the next CBA. With the NIL, players are somewhat satisfied, and the league doesn’t feel as much pressure to allow the kids to make money.'”

The modern-day NBA has moved towards internal development and relying on youth. The Memphis Grizzlies and OKC Thunder's recent success has appeared to be a decent model for small-market teams to follow, which could result in teams looking away from recruiting veterans on a large scale.

However, that doesn't seem to be the case for at least another five years now, so veterans will be in a comfortable spot regarding securing their places on rosters.

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High School players appear to be in no rush to turn pros

High school players may not be keen on turning pros too soon, especially with NIL (name, image and likeness coming into the picture. Unlike before, college athletes can make money beyond their scholarships due to the NIL. College basketball also offers them decent preparation time to step foot in the league.

College basketball and the experience of being in that environment are also a must for pro athletes. The competitiveness has only increased further in college basketball, giving more incentives for high school players to continue their development by playing in college before making their mark in the league.