Really? I thought admitting the azerite system would change (no locked traits) in the future was a decent response to the constant trashing of it…

Battle of Dazar'alor will be the last raid where you'll have to work to unlock your traits. Starting in Rise of Azshara, all traits will likely be unlocked, but you'll use AP to unlock things in the Heart of Azeroth itself. More information will come down the line.

from the wowhead summary

The team will shift AP to the Heart itself, allowing you to make choices about permanent powers, potentially active abilities. More to share in the future!

from the mmochamp one…

Though the class design responses have me cringing and coughing “BS” Cough Cough “BS”