Former NBA players Steve Kerr and Bill Walton would like to see an increase of the NBA's entry age limit.

“I am staggered that the players union doesn’t fight to protect the existing veteran players’ jobs, players who built the league,” Walton said. “The NBA is a man’s league, a difficult league. You should be three years out of high school and 21 before you can make it. The union is making such a huge mistake fighting for people (college players) who aren’t even in the union.”

Kerr, now an analyst, doesn’t disagree.

“I really think it’s hurt the pro and college game,” Kerr said. “I think what’s happened is that we’re getting sort of an adolescent element to the NBA. It’s unhealthy; these guys aren’t ready. Some of them are ready physically; almost none are ready emotionally. And it’s weakened the NBA product. I would personally like to see the rule that extends the limit not to one year but three years.

“Like baseball, or forget the high school stuff altogether,” Kerr said. “Just three years, tough luck, like football. People can talk individual rights or whatever, big deal. Really, if I’m in the NBA, am I more worried about the rights of a 19-year-old kid or the quality of our business and our product?”