Kobe Bryant, Dennis Hopson: The biggest draft lottery mess ups – NBA Draft Special (Part 4)
Memphis Grizzlies with the No.2 pick
In 15 years of the franchise history, the Memphis Grizzlies have been quite lucky to have four number two picks. However they were never able to make the most of it. The sharp-shooter Mike Bibby was the best thing that ever happened
to the franchise who gave them a couple of good years, but the Grizzlies traded him to Sacramento kings.
Grizzlies’ most recent selection with number 2 pick was Hasheem Thabeet, who did nothing in his two years with the team. Back in 2000, Memphis drafted the big man Stromile Swift who was a decent shot blocker. However he never stimulated
his offensive game and was shown the exit.
During the 1999 draft, Memphis Grizzlies selected Steve Francis and traded him to the Houston Rockets right away. Francis turned out to be an outstanding guard and he could have provided a substantial support to the Grizzlies at
that time.
Minnesota Timberwolves, the 2009 Draft
The 2009 draft was a year of big opportunities for the Minnesota Timberwolves with four first round picks and two lottery picks. However, they failed cash in the benefit. The Timberwolves drafted 4 guards including 3 point guards
that year, but the most unpleasant drafts came with their two lottery picks.
Ricky Rubio was the first player selected by the Minnesota with the fifth pick but he refused to sign the agreement with the team and stayed in Europe due to buyout issues. John Flynn was the next player drafted by the team with
the sixth pick and he proved to be a disappointment, partly because of his injury issues.
What makes it more worse is that Golden State Warriors selected do-all guard Stephen Curry immediately Minnesota’s draft.
New Jersey Nets, Dennis Hopson
Dennis Hopson was drafted by the New Jersey Nets as a third pick. However, he was traded by the franchise as he failed to impress with his talent and lasted for only five years in the league. The Nets had a chance to procure Scottie
Pippen, Kevin Johnson, Reggie Williams, Reggie Miller or Horace Grant that year, but they went with the flow and opted for Hopson.
New Orleans Hornets, Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac
In the 1996 draft, Kobe Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th draft pick. The Hornets traded the dynamic shooting guard for Vlade few weeks later. As time passed, Bryant turned out to be the best player
in the league and spearheaded the Los Angeles Lakers to six NBA championships. Vlade on the other hand, never made it big and eventually faded away. Trading away Kobe was one of the major NBA draft s***w-ups for the Hornets. It might have been the only draft
trade that could have kept Hornets from moving to another city, if the trade had not taken place.
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