Andrew Bynum was the last 17 year old in the NBA. And by 17 year old, I mean drafted the same year you would turn 18 at the end of the year. For example, if a player is born in 2007, he would be drafted in 2025 instead of 2026. Do you think we will see that anytime soon again? There have been a lot of high school draftees since the one and done rule yet none are 18 (by year’s end).
No. The rule is you need to be 19 during the calendar year of the draft. So that would mean you would at least be 18 when drafted. I doubt you will ever see the rule change back because veterans wouldn’t want that in a CBA and especially now that players can make money in the G league or in the NCAA with NILs.
The players have consistently fought to get the age limit lowered since they know what bullshit it is.
And they consistently let it slide in negotiations because its just not a priority for guys already in the league.