Hornets vs Lakers Kobe Visit

Drafted by the Hornets, traded to the Lakers on draft day.

Kobe Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA draft and was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Quick Facts

Sport: Basketball (NBA)
Team affiliation: Charlotte Hornets (NBA) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Player involved: Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
Event status: Non-existent; Fabricated Premise
Domain clarification: Not Association Football/Soccer

Lore & Background

The day before the draft, the Charlotte Hornets agreed to trade their 13th pick to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac. Before the agreement, the Hornets had never considered drafting Bryant. During the draft, the Lakers told the Hornets to select Bryant minutes before the pick was made. Lakers General Manager Jerry West made the trade for Bryant after having watched him work out in Los Angeles. After the draft, the trade was put in jeopardy when Divac threatened to retire, but he relented and the trade was finalized.