Steve Kerr thinks NBA should adopt this MLB system

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr believes the NBA's development system needs an overhaul, calling for the league to adopt a minor league similar to Major League Baseball. 

Speaking on KNBR this week, Kerr said given the age of players drafted in the NBA, a minor league system like baseball's is necessary. 

"Baseball players need 1,000 at-bats or whatever it is where they're ready to hit big league pitching," Kerr said. "It's the exact same concept only in the NBA we throw them out there and they're on the payroll at a huge number." 

Kerr isn't wrong, and he's seen it play out firsthand with the Warriors. Like it or not, Golden State has an aging roster, and the team's younger players have yet to take the next step. 

The NBA's developmental system in place now, the G-League, has grown significantly since beginning in 2001. The league has grown from eight to 30 teams over the last two decades and even helped provide some exciting NBA moments. During this year's All-Star Game festivities, Mac McClung of the G-League Champion Delaware Bluecoats wowed basketball fans by winning the NBA Dunk Contest. 

Though, as much as the G-League has progressed, it rarely produces game-changing players like MLB's minor league system. Instead, most see the G-League as more of a demotion for players rather than a place to hone skills. Nowadays, there's an expectation for high draft picks to make an immediate impact at the NBA level, while MLB teams don't hold draftees to the same standard. 

Perhaps the NBA would see more stars grow by looking at development differently by offering a proper place for players to improve without the pressures of playing at the top level. However, as good as a baseball-like minor league system might sound, the chances of the NBA making that change are slim to none.