Earlier this week on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast, former NBA players Gilbert Arenas and Rashad McCants, among others, drew a compelling comparison between Ace Bailey’s draft strategy for 2025 and the Los Angeles Lakers’ efforts to secure the late Kobe Bryant back in 1996.
They explained that the situations involving Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey resonate with the narrative of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson during the 1996 draft. Reflecting on how Jerry West, who was the head coach of the Lakers at that time, facilitated Bryant’s slide to the 13th pick, McCants stated:
“This situation with Cooper and Ace Bailey parallels that of Kobe and AI in ’96. Kobe was expected to go to New Jersey, who ultimately selected Kerry Kittles as they preferred someone established and ready to contribute immediately. They were reluctant to take a risk on Kobe. Calipari was interested in Kobe, but Jerry West was the only one who fully grasped that Kobe would succeed. The (New Jersey Nets) ownership didn’t want Kobe. But Jerry West had connections with the Hornets.”
“Someone probably sees potential in Ace Bailey, and they know Cooper is going to be the top pick, but they believe this player could be superior,” McCants continued, indicating that a team might maneuver in the draft to secure Bailey, convinced of his generational talent.
The 1996 NBA Draft produced numerous stars, including Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash. The Charlotte Hornets made Bryant the 13th overall selection before trading him to the Lakers in exchange for center Vlade Divac, a move orchestrated by Jerry West. McCants reiterated that West was the only person aware that Kobe was destined for greatness.
When the Lakers held the 24th pick, they faced a significant obstacle. High school prospects at that time were infrequent and considered high-risk, with Kevin Garnett’s successful entry in 1995 only just altering perceptions. West needed Bryant to slide past the teams at the top of the draft. The New Jersey Nets, selecting eighth, posed a considerable threat, particularly since coach John Calipari had his eyes on Bryant.
However, cautious about selecting high school players, the Nets’ ownership opted for Villanova’s Kerry Kittles, a safer option who had averaged 16.4 points during his rookie season.
Reports suggested that Bryant’s agent, Arn Tellem, had discouraged the Nets from making the selection, with Bryant hinting at the possibility of playing in Italy instead. West’s pre-draft agreement with Charlotte resulted in them picking Bryant at No. 13, with the plan to subsequently trade him for Divac.
Ace Bailey’s Draft Prospects and Utah’s Ambitious Move
Projected as a top-five selection, Ace Bailey, a 6’8″ wing from Rutgers, emerged as one of the focal points of discussion heading into the 2025 draft. The Arenas podcast, recorded mere hours before the draft, speculated that a team could perceive him as a hidden gem, akin to West’s insight into Bryant.
Arenas likened Bailey to Bryant and Duke’s Cooper Flagg to Iverson, the top pick of the 1996 draft. Despite differences in circumstances, Bailey’s draft narrative echoed similar themes, though his fall was not as dramatic as Bryant’s.
In his lone season at Rutgers, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, with shooting percentages of 46% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. He opted out of workouts with franchises like Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Utah, reportedly gravitating towards teams outside the top five, such as Washington or Brooklyn.
This strategy shared parallels with Bryant’s camp, which allegedly dissuaded the Nets in 1996; however, Bailey’s approach ultimately backfired when Utah still selected him. While Utah’s choice to draft him without a pre-draft workout reflects a level of faith akin to West’s belief in Bryant, the context is undeniably different.
Image Source: Gilbert Arenas @ Instagram
