Jerry West trading for Kobe Bryant in the 1996 NBA Draft is considered one of the most incredible deals in league history.

On NBA Today, former Nets executive Bobby Marks revealed they wanted to draft Bryant but were told he would play in Italy if they picked him. "We passed on Kobe in that '96 draft," Marks said.

Overlooked by scouts, these athletes defied the odds and proved everyone wrong despite picked outside top 10 in NBA Draft.

stories, trades, culture, and legacy of the iconic 1996 NBA Draft, which transformed the way basketball was played and the culture of the league. A deep-dive into the iconic players (Allen Iverson ...

After the Charlotte Hornets drafted Bryant with the 13th-overall pick at the 1996 NBA Draft, the Lakers traded for him in exchange for All-Star big man Vlade Divac. While Bryant had a slow rise ...

But it all started with the 1996 NBA Draft, one of the best drafts of all time. In addition to producing Kobe, one of the greatest players ever, it also gave us one of the most entertaining ...

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh into the league as they all took the early steps in their now-legendary NBA careers. League experts and players talk about the great 1996 draft class Uncut behind the ...

San Antonio's run of 22 straight postseason berths remains an NBA record, tied with the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers franchise. In the 2024-25 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the first ...