Legal Age in the NBA?

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban argues that the NBA should set a minimum age for its players of 22. His basic contention, which hardly seems contestable, is that the vast majority of 18 and 19 year olds are not mature enough to handle the sudden access to money that comes with an NBA contract. However, he is on shakier ground when he further justifies his position with admittedly "simple" logic. He writes, "If a kid is NBA ready to play at 18 or 19, he will be NBA ready at 22. They don't forget how to play basketball and they don't get worse."

That is true in most circumstances. However, Mr. Cuban fails to account for the 20 year old who would be refused a contract under this scenario and who subsequently blows out his knee playing at a college or on a sandlot.