VIDEO: Magic Johnson Recalls Learning Of Lakers Intentions To Draft Kobe

Corey Hansford
1 Min Read
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When the Lakers traded starting center Vlade Divac for the rights to a high school kid named Kobe Bryant, no one knew what to think. Many were shocked since Divac had been a very good player for the team, and high schoolers have a very high chance of turning into busts.

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Someone who wasn’t surprised by the deal was Lakers legend Magic Johnson. In a ‘Planet Lakers’ special that aired yesterday on Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Johnson recalled a conversation he had with Lakers general manager Jerry West.

Johnson and West held a basketball camp in Maui during which Bryant apparently destroyed former Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Cooper. West told Johnson that the Lakers were working on a deal for Bryant and that he would be one of the greatest players of all-time.

No one realized how correct West would be, but Johnson knew before anyone else of the Lakers intentions. Check out Magic remembering that time below:


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Kobe Bryant On Jimmy Kimmel


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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.