tbg@apollo.uucp (Tom Gross) (03/10/86)
> > I heard that the NBA Players Association president (?) has proposed that the > draft be eliminated when the Association contract comes up for review next year. > > Personally, I think this would make salaries increase by causing a bidding war > for the best players... > > What are the opinions of netland on the subject of eliminating the draft ? > Assuming the salary cap continued to be strictly enforced, I don't actually think eliminating the draft would have much affect on the overall balance in the league (such as it is!). I really think most players would go where the money is anyway. I mean your average NBA joe making 300K or more isn't going to play for the Lakers at 160K just so he can be on a winner. The really good players, the ones who can get anything they want anywhere they want, i.e. the "franchises", would I think tend to define the makeup of the rest of their team, and thus the league itself. In other words, I think all things being equal Larry Bird would probably choose to play for Indiana. This would mean that the Pacers would have about $50,000 left over to divide among 11 other journeyman players (I am exaggerating only a little). Actually as it is today the franchise players can pretty much dictate where they will play anyway. If Jabbar wants to play in LA, something can be worked out. Without a draft I just think it would FACILITATE choice for the very best players, not create it. I really think the major benefit of the draft is that it gives fans in losing cities something to get excited about, as long as their team doesn't trade their future picks away for franchise players like Gerald Henderson. Tom Gross Apollo Computer, INC. Chelmsford, MA