With the NBA wanting to increase the age of a prospective draftee, while not seeming to put a hinderance on his financial future or place a disturbance in the balance of the draft by eliminating possible selections the solution, though a little intricate can be accomplished where it is a win-win-win situation for all.  The third win mentioned includes a third party not always mentioned in regards to this subject, the CBA.

THE SOLUTION

     First the NBA should (with it's revenues from it's vast marketing and television contracts) form a alliance with the CBA and the NBA's Developmental League making them a virtual MINOR LEAGUE to the NBA which it currently tries to be.  This would allow a Team through restructuring of the current players agreement (Benefits will be stated below for the players union) through their union, to be sent for further development if necessary, to any club (Govern though the CBA) to rehab or develop further the skills needed to be productive in the NBA.  The NBA would also give an additional roster spot or two for draftees, only with defined allotments (for time a person can be sent down, and total amount of times a player can be sent down thoughout  any season with a maximum of a two year window). 

     This would give the NBA teams flexibility with their rosters and add insurance in the case of an injury to a draftee.  It also allows the CBA a financial windfall to help stabilize their league and would increase attendance whenever high draft picks are intergraded within, improving their leagues skill level and interest in it as well.

     Second the NBA would have to stucture a first signing formula that would be beneficial to both the teams and the players without causing the PLAYERS UNION to balk.  This would also place flexibility in the Salary Cap within the league and for teams.

     A workable example is as follows:

     First year signings would be for no shorter than four  years, and no longer than six.  This would ensure a player who if he doesn't work out some years of financial security to either return to college or to persue another way of live. 

     Upon signing, what ever the amount the following structure of the contract would be as follows: 

     The amount of the contract would be split in half with the first half being paid out as follows: 

     The NBA would structure a four year payment increments for the amount of the halved contract total with increases from the first to the secord and so on until the end of the fourth year.  Signing bonuses would be paid in full in his first year in addition to the halved contract amount.  Not only would this process insure financial security for the player for a minimum of four years regardless it he is cut or faced with a injury, it also relaxes any animousity  vertern players sometimes have with draftees who make more than they do or as much without ever dribbling a ball on the court yet.

     The remaining Half of the contract would be spilt again (making it quarters from the original contract and would be paid out as follows:

     One quarter would be place upon signing in a type of Taxfree IRA account for the player, this would insure some financial freedom for the player after the initial four years of the contract and assist in his future career or retirement.  This could only assist the PLAYERS UNION in the future as toward the possible assistance these players may need.

      The remaining quarter would be paid out in equal amounts in in the second thru four year of the contract.

     On a six year contract the original halved amount would follow the four year structure with the remaining two years paid in a 40/60 spilt in years five and six.

     After the fourth year any contract could be renegotiated where as the balance of any remaining year beyond the initial four would be paid in full upon the signing of a new contract.

EXAMPLE: 6 year 20 million Dollars, with a 2 millon signing bonus

First year say  $800,000.00 plus the 2,000,000.00 bonus total $2,800,000.00

Second year   $1,200,000.00 plus $1,000,000.00 (Balance of fourht Quarter of contract divided thoughout the second to sixth years) total $2,200,000.00

Third year        $1,600,000.00 plus $1,000,000.00 total $2,600,000.00

Fourth year      $2,000,000.00 plus $1,000,000.00 total $3,000,000.00

Fifth year          $2,160,000.00 (40% of the balance of the remainder of the initial halved contract) plus $1,000,000.00 total  $3,160,000.00

Sixth year         $3,240,000.00 (60% of the balance of the remainder of the initial halved contract) plus $1,000,000.00 total $4,240,000.00

     With the player also having a intrest incurring taxfree IRA started in his first year of $5,000,000.00 at say 13% annual rate would give him 5,650,000,00 toward his retirement or change in career collateral, after 6 years.

     This would give the NBA team flexibility with there roster without hindering themselves if a draftee is injured or needs further development.  When a team feels a draftee needs to develop or keep sharp his skills he can then be sent to the CBA/Developmental league to insure himself getting playing time.  It would help ease the Existing Salary Cap and allow for the existing 30 day signings, while a player is either recovering from a injury or "Sent down" (Draftees only) to get playing time or enhance his skills. 

     This would allow the existing age limit to continue and assist both the player, the NBA, and the CBA to thrive, without player development or financial concerns playing a part in the draft equation.

     A byproduct of this may probably actually keep student atheletes in school longer if they feel that they would more then likely be playing in the CBA then on the bench in the NBA, hence the player would rather hone his skills at their repective Universities.  Of course where financial straights prevail to some students with talent this would be beneficail to ensure financial securety for them regaurdless where they play.