For nearly six decades, the Brooklyn Nets have been home to a parade of marquee names—Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, to name a few. While the franchise’s trophy cabinet may be modest, there once existed a tantalizing “what‑if” scenario that could have placed one of basketball’s all‑time greats in a Nets jersey.
Warner Bros. is set to roll out a documentary that peels back the curtain on the late Kobe Bryant’s path to the NBA in 1996, according to Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro. Titled With the 8th Pick, the film is narrated through the eyes of former Nets head coach John Calipari—who reportedly had his sights set on Bryant—and former general manager John Nash.
Former Nets point guard Jason Kidd summed up the potential impact of Bryant’s arrival in a piece by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk: “It would have reshaped the basketball map. New Jersey could have become a hotbed for the sport, especially with a talent like Kobe. That kind of player attracts more talent, and who knows—maybe Shaquille O’Neal would have ended up in the mix as well.”
When the 1996 NBA Draft arrived, the then‑New Jersey Nets held the eighth overall selection. Instead of reaching for Bryant, they opted for guard Kerry Kittles. In hindsight, Kittles’ career never reached the heights that Bryant’s would later achieve; Bryant earned a spot on the All‑Rookie team in 1996‑97, a precursor to a storied 18‑time All‑Star tenure, five championships, two scoring titles, and eventual induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bryant was ultimately chosen with the 13th pick by the Charlotte Hornets (who traded his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers), and the Nets joined eleven other franchises in passing on the future legend. The upcoming documentary promises to reveal the inner workings of that decision‑making process from the unique perspective of two former Nets insiders.
The Nets have fielded several NBA superstars but have yet to capture a championship.
A new Warner Bros. documentary, With the 8th Pick, will recount Kobe Bryant’s draft experience through the lens of ex‑Nets coach John Calipari and former GM John Nash.
Former Nets guard Jason Kidd believes Bryant’s presence could have turned New Jersey into a basketball magnet.
In 1996, the Nets selected Kerry Kittles with the 8th pick, passing on Bryant, who later became a five‑time champion and Hall of Famer.
The film will shed light on why the Nets, along with 11 other teams, let the future icon slip away.
The story offers a fascinating glimpse at how a single draft decision might have altered the trajectory of a franchise—and perhaps the entire landscape of the NBA.
