Lakers Complete Trade for Kobe Bryant on July 11, 1996
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Los Angeles, July 11, 1996 — The Los Angeles Lakers formally finalized a deal with the Charlotte Hornets on this date in 1996, obtaining 17-year-old guard Kobe Bryant in exchange for veteran center Vlade Divac.
Bryant had impressed Lakers general manager Jerry West during pre-draft workouts in Los Angeles, but the franchise lacked a lottery pick. To reach Bryant, West negotiated with Charlotte, owner of the No. 13 selection — the first choice outside the lottery.
Cap flexibility was pivotal. The Lakers were pursuing free-agent center Shaquille O’Neal and needed to shed Divac’s salary to create the space required for a maximum contract. The Hornets, meanwhile, were seeking a starting center, aligning both teams’ interests.
Draft-day maneuvering
Bryant’s draft position was hardly guaranteed. Coming straight from Lower Merion High School, the Philadelphia native declined workouts with several clubs, hoping to land in Los Angeles. The New Jersey Nets, holding the No. 8 pick, weighed selecting him, but Bryant’s representatives indicated he might play in Italy if drafted by an unfavorable team. New Jersey chose Villanova guard Kerry Kittles instead, allowing Bryant to slide to No. 13, where Charlotte selected him on June 26, 1996.
According to a 2014 tweet from Bryant, Hornets officials informed him immediately after the pick that he would be traded to Los Angeles.
Divac’s hesitation
The transaction stalled when Divac, a seven-year Lakers veteran, threatened to retire rather than relocate. His stance delayed the deal until July 11, when he ultimately agreed to report to Charlotte, clearing the way for the trade’s completion.
Aftermath
One week later, on July 18, the Lakers signed O’Neal, forming the core that would capture three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.
Bryant spent his entire 20-season career with Los Angeles, earning 18 All-Star selections and five NBA titles. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in May 2021 as a member of the 2020 class.
Source: Lakers Nation
