NBA History: 5 Trades that changed the NBA forever

#2 The Charlotte Hornets trade Kobe Bryant to the Lakers for Vlade Divac

Bryant was the 13th pick of the 1996 draft

When it comes to trades that changed the NBA, it is nearly impossible to forget this trade. This trade involved one of the NBA's greatest shooting guards (and players) of all time. The young player out of Lower Merion High School went on to have an illustrious career with one of the most prestigious organizations in NBA history. But, he wasn't drafted by them. Instead, he was a part of a trade.

Kobe Bryant was the 13th pick of the 1996 NBA Draft. The Charlotte Hornets selected the young player, who became the first guard to be drafted directly out of high school. This happened a year after the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted forward Kevin Garnett, who was also a high-school prospect. Bryant was the first of two high-school prospects drafted in 1996 (the second was Jermaine O'Neal at the 17th pick) and went on to achieve great success.

Although the Hornets drafted Bryant, he did not play for them. The Hornets traded him in a draft-day trade with the Lakers. The Lakers received Bryant in exchange for center Vlade Divac.

The Lakers traded Divac, as he was their starting center, but Lakers picked up another center during free agency. They signed free-agent Shaquille O'Neal. The Lakers had to make a move to clear salary-cap space to sign O'Neal. So, the Lakers wanted to acquire draft rights (another salary-cap move) to trade Divac and acquire O'Neal. By doing so, they received a young player, who (unexpectedly) became one-half of the Lakers' new duo.

In his first season with the Lakers, Bryant mostly came off the bench. He averaged 7.6 points in 71 games. As time progressed, he became an important player to the Lakers franchise.

The "Black Mamba" accomplished great things with the Lakers. He won five championships, an MVP, and two Finals MVPs. His name is mentioned with other Laker greats such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, and more.

Bryant became a great player, and a simple trade helped contribute to his success. This trade was easily one of the trades that changed the NBA forever.