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[QUOTE="Fly Rodder, post: 1246498, member: 2133"]
Consider, however, that the cost of a marginal win above replacement (a state used more frequently in baseball), has continually increased.  The league is making a fortune.  No questions.  There is a ridiculous amount of money being thrown around.  BUT, with the cap and salary restrictions, it really pressures teams into finding relatively cheap talent (NBA FAs are still going to get their money) and 60 players are going to be drafted every year.  Why draft a junior/senior with bench potential in the best case scenario when you could draft and stash a McCullough who has all the athletic tools to be a star who needs to get bigger and stronger (something that's a whole lot easier than teaching someone how to be a good three point shooter or dribble and finish with either hand)?

Unlike baseball and (to a much lesser degree) football, very talented college and high school basketball players can step right into the league and play well.  So.  Your team needs talent and the more money you have for established players the better.  Enter the literal NBA lottery pick.  Get lucky with a kid with potential and now you're paying much less for increases in the team's nominal WAR and you can save some coin for established NBA guys to inject more established talent.

Once kids realize that if the NBA is sniffing after them, and the NBA drafts projects, why stay in school and play for free?
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