The best NBA Draft pick of all time at every slot

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses with his jersey during the 2003/2004 NBA Draft Portrait at Paramount Theatre Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2003 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK – 1996: First Round NBA draft pick Kobe Bryant poses for a photo. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Andy Hayt/NBAE via Getty Images) /

13. Kobe Bryant, 1996 NBA Draft, Charlotte Hornets

This is one of those player-agent influenced picks, sitting at number eight, John Calipari and the New Jersey Nets were prepared to take Kobe Bryant with their selection. But, word leaked out that Kobe would opt to play in Europe rather than the Nets and Calipari got cold feet and opted to take Kerry Kittles instead. That allowed Bryant to slide to No. 13 where the Charlotte Hornets were picking. Instead of Charlotte being Bryant’s new home they were only a placeholder as the Los Angeles Lakers worked behind the scenes to construct a trade to bring Kobe to Hollywood.

In the end, the Lakers would deal Vlade Divac to the Hornets in return for Bryant. The move is similar to tactics we’ve seen in the NFL where John Elway and Eli Manning used covert means of making sure a team they did not want to go to didn’t select them. Bryant got his wish and since he was taken 13th overall the move even saved the Lakers some money that they would use to bring in Shaquille O’Neal in free agency.

Over the course of his career, Kobe would go on to become one of the most beloved Lakers players in franchise history (he became the first player to get two numbers retired, 8 and 24) and he exited the NBA as the third all-time leading scorer.

While there were ups and downs to Kobe’s time with the franchise, he would win five NBA Finals and endear himself to Laker nation with his clutch shot-making and willingness to play through nearly any and all injuries. As a fringe lottery selection, Bryant vastly outplayed expectations. His charisma, ego, and abilities would get him exposure early and often in the bright lights of la-la land, the move is still considered one of the most lopsided deals in the history of the NBA draft.

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