The NBA draft coincides with Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating emancipation, prompting thoughts about the draft's relationship to freedom and choice.

[{"selector":"#anim-a3ea239f-e7de-4425-9294-4b9d726c5b37 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.016042362156693%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The NBA, like other corporations, has embraced Juneteenth, but abolishing the draft would be a more significant step towards liberation.

[{"selector":"#anim-ffc6a6a8-405f-4354-a07f-8917ddbdcc85 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(30.197010446003386%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f447b7e-d903-446a-8cc0-2c68a938c9d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c286cdf-5fc4-4d09-89b6-999c70b98756","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 179.80887%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Abolishing the draft would benefit all college-age players entering the NBA, irrespective of their race, creed, or color.

[{"selector":"#anim-fb3631f2-284d-41a5-b54d-765e612395e8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.837790311516383%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Without the draft, every college-age player would become a free agent, allowing them to have full control over their career choices.

[{"selector":"#anim-f5265607-7141-4885-aa8c-3ba222f5bc2b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.61191296062835%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29c02974-402d-4d5c-87e8-979e4b56fcdd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07285dab-1ce3-4c4f-9616-c90785f0d548","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 172.32905%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Players are accustomed to making choices throughout their careers, from selecting AAU teams to deciding where to play in high school and college.

[{"selector":"#anim-1f8e7ef8-5166-4c1b-9c4f-513b0c2c0ce2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(25.570341753686932%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-456f0830-980a-4427-8b92-44de00c62d9a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(121.60280%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7fb584b5-72fd-4ad6-b9c6-ad715a3ea667","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60280abf-7a5f-4315-be1b-dd7072f22ae9","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] By abolishing the draft, the NBA would restore freedom of choice to players at the highest level of competition and compensation.

[{"selector":"#anim-2b8690ba-707b-40a7-8d8e-8e2e1822c9bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.81651333559723%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3b33850f-f921-4ef9-b8b5-8d765b11a7d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-689ba4d4-ab06-4134-a60b-828fa9e0996b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 178.71233%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This move would grant players the privilege of making their own decisions about where they want to play and negotiate their contracts.

[{"selector":"#anim-20d3b913-83ca-4900-944f-3223726f1a0c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(32.22136654588343%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e5fa7dcc-1959-4646-9ff0-33fc48dec2b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b58dd022-7fd6-464a-a057-b7585cc45ded","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.47526%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] IMAGES FROM INSTAGRAM Abolishing the draft would be a significant step towards empowering athletes and providing them with the same freedoms enjoyed by individuals.

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