Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Throwback Thursday: Lakers Trade For Kobe Bryant on Draft Day 1996
Lakers News

Throwback Thursday: Lakers Trade For Kobe Bryant on Draft Day 1996

Corey Hansford
Published: 11/28/2013
3 Min Read
SHARE

kobebryant1996Following the 1995-96 season, the Lakers were in a difficult place. Despite winning 53 games and securing the fourth seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers were bounced in the first round by the Hakeem Olajuwon and the defending champion Houston Rockets.

Additionally, despite having six players averaging double figures in points, the Lakers lacked that true superstar to really carry the team. That all changed in the summer of 1996. The Lakers made two major moves that summer. In July, they signed center Shaquille O’Neal to a deven year, $120 million deal. The first move they made, garnered much less fanfare, but would have an even longer lasting impact.

The Lakers agreed to a pre-draft trade with the then Charlotte Hornets in which the Hornets would draft Bryant with the 13th pick, and trade him to the Lakers for center Vlade Divac. The move would turn out to be one of the biggest trades in the history of the NBA.

The Hornets were in need of a center after trading away star center Alonzo Mourning to the Miami Heat so the move made sense on both ends. And no one could have envisioned Bryant becoming the transcendent superstar that he would eventually become. No one except the great Jerry West that is.

After witnessing Bryant workout against some Lakers players, West was sold on the high school phenom and he made it a point to get him on the Lakers. Bryant and O’Neal would go on to form one of the most unstoppable duos in the history of the NBA, and the early 2000s Lakers became one of only three teams to win three straight championships.

Bryant would go on to bring five total championships to Los Angeles on his way to becoming the Lakers all-time leader in games, minutes, points, steals, field goals, three pointers, and free throws.

Bryant is one of, if not, the greatest players most of us will ever see in our lifetime. On this Throwback Thursday, we remember the Lakers trading for Kobe Bryant in 1996.

———————————————————–
Lakers, Nick Young, Pau Gasol, Laker Girls Share Thanksgiving Feast With Kids And Families

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?