Scottie Pippen and Kobe Bryant ? Were Their Trades the Most Expensive Mistakes Made in the League?s History?

The world of the NBA is dynamic, where change is a continuous part of the game. More than often, fans of the sport would see their favorite players being traded off to another team after a considerable amount of time. Two such players who were traded off very early in their NBA career were Scottie Pippen and Kobe Bryant.

Teams often trade players so that they can bring the changes necessary to improve their roster. In the case of these two players, however, the trade that the franchises undertook resulted in them suffering in the long run. Taking the personal opinion of the author into perspective, the following article will explore the profound impact that the trade of the two legends had on the NBA?s overall history.

Scottie Pippen was briefly associated with the Supersonics

Scottie Pippen used to dominate the basketball court during the 90s. Accompanied by natural talents like Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, the athletic small forward helped the Chicago Bulls in winning over six NBA championships during the team?s golden era. It may come as a surprise to many, however, when they find out that the Bulls were not the ones who brought the future NBA champion into the prestigious league.

The 1987 NBA draft saw Pippen being chosen as the fifth overall pick by the Seattle Supersonics. While they didn?t get the chance to choose the player during the draft, the Bulls still had an eye out for the up-and-coming 22-year-old. Looking to include him in their roster, the team manufactured a deal with the Supersonics, taking Pippen for Olden Polynice, the 8 overall pick during the same draft.

If the Sonics hadn?t let go of Pippen, the team’s trajectory would have undoubtedly been transformed for the better. He could have formed a partnership with the team?s then-star player Shawn Kemp and become an unstoppable duo. By using his skills as a small forward, he could have established the Supersonics as a worthy contender of the Jordan-led Bulls. A force to be reckoned with. Instead, Pippen used his talent to spread the message of the Bulls far and wide. His assistance helped in transforming them into a championship team and establishing himself as one of the greatest small forwards the world has ever seen.

The Supersonics tried to bring Pippen back into their fold after the 1993-94 season. However, they had to draw back after receiving some negative backlash from fans over the decision. Three years after the incident, Michael Jordan himself came out to support Pippen, threatening that he would retire again if any other franchise tried to take away his ?little brother?.

The Hornets allegedly traded Kobe Bryant without a second thought

In his two-decades-long career with the NBA and even after his retirement from the league, the late Kobe Bryant?s name has been most closely associated with the Los Angeles Lakers. Similarly to Scottie Pippen, however, the team that brought the Black Mamba into the league was a different one.

After having established a reputation as a player to look out for during his high school days, 17-year-old Kobe Bryant entered the NBA world during the 1996 draft. The Charlotte Hornets chose him as the 13th overall pick. Unknowing to the up-and-coming player, the team management had already made some other plans for him.

Even before he was selected in the draft, the Hornets had decided that they didn?t need any extra small forwards. At the same time, then-Lakers general manager Jerry West wanted to clear some considerable cap space. His main objective was to make space for then-Orlando Magic star Shaquille O?Neal. In order to do so, he had to get rid of Vlade Divac, who played in the same position as O?Neal. Having been impressed with Bryant?s high school career, West chose to bring in the future Black Mamba and gave Divac to the Hornets.

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Bryant devoted the entirety of his NBA career to the Lakers. He helped them win five NBA championships in the process and earned universal acclaim. He created professional bonds with other players like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Shaquille O?Neal. This helped the team reach a platform that they hadn?t been standing on since the iconic Showtime era. Therefore, it can be said with certainty that trading off the Black Mamba turned out to be a costly mistake for the Hornets.

The Final Verdict

Many NBA fans and enthusiasts may hold varying opinions on this issue. They may think differently on what were the most expensive trade mistakes made by the respective NBA franchises. Through the above points, however, the author continues to hold the viewpoint that letting go of Scottie Pippen and Kobe Bryant, by the Supersonics and the Hornets respectively, was an overall bad move.

Scottie Pippen’s trade from the Seattle SuperSonics to the Chicago Bulls stands as a testament to the consequences of a miscalculated decision. By increasing the overall talent in the already powerful roster of the Bulls, the Supersonics diminished their chances of seeing a championship ring. At the same time, they probably reduced the chances of other teams as well. This one move may have been responsible for ushering in the golden era of the Bulls and helping them create a legacy that is remembered to this day. And by understanding the full potential that a teenaged Kobe Bryant had, Jerry West helped the Lakers get back in the spotlight after a long hiatus. The Hornets chose to place importance on immediate gain rather than long-term potential, and they paid the price.

Both Scottie Pippen and Kobe Bryant?s early trades continue to remain a cautionary tale for NBA franchises, warning them to evaluate deeply before making a decision that could cost them in the long road ahead.

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Editorial Disclaimer:?The?views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EssentiallySports.