Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant Biopic Gets Major Update, Plot Reveal

Warner Bros. Pictures has reportedly acquired the rights to a biopic based on the life of the late, great Kobe Bryant, which will cover his journey to joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to Variety, the script, tentatively titled “With the 8th Pick?,” will document the behind-the-scenes happenings at the 1996 NBA Draft, where Bryant was selected No. 13 overall by the Hornets (and traded to L.A.). However, the story will be told from the point of view of John Nash, the then-general manager of the New Jersey Nets, who wanted to draft Bryant with the No. 8 pick, only to be overruled by his incoming head coach, John Calipari.

Variety provided further insight into the script and why the movie could be titled “With the 8th Pick?” even though Bryant went No. 13 to the Lakers, via the Hornets.

“Curiously, Bryant was taken by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft — not the eighth pick. The Hornets then traded Bryant to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. The New Jersey Nets and its general manager, John Nash, had the eighth pick. Nash has previously said that he wanted to draft Bryant with the pick, but was overruled by Nets coach John Calipari.”

Kobe Bryant Biopic Update

Insiders familiar with the script, from screenwriters Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen, noted that the movie will resemble certain other biopics on legendary athletes.

“Other insiders familiar with the script described the film as “Moneyball” meets “Air,” Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s recent feature detailing Nike’s courtship of a rookie-year Michael Jordan,” read the report from Variety.

Elsewhere, Deadline noted that Bryant’s heading to the Nets would have had significant financial ramifications, as the franchise was on the verge of bankruptcy.

“…The New Jersey was a broke organization, and Bryant was an L.A. Lakers fan. Not to mention, Bryant’s sneaker deal with Adidas would be worth more with the Lakers than had he signed with the Nets.

“Bryant was being courted to become Calipari’s first NBA draft pick, a move that could have changed the course of the NBA forever. It’s being described as Social Network meets Air meets Moneyball with a thriller bent.”

From the Makers of ‘King Richard’

The film will be produced by  Tim and Trevor White, the team behind the Oscar-winning movie “King Richard,” which documented the rise of tennis’ Williams Sisters.

Hyper Beast provided additional details on the project, and why the script offers a fresh perspective to Bryant’s career, rather than focusing on entire career with the Lakers.

“While the project is still in early development with no director or cast attached, its focus on a single pivotal moment in Bryant’s career is a fresh take.”

“By avoiding a traditional biopic format, the movie is set to attract not only basketball fans but also a general audience interested in high-stakes drama. It’s a fitting tribute to one of the greatest athletes of all time, exploring the pivotal moment that set him on a path to legendary status with the Los Angeles Lakers.”

Bryant, who won five championships woith the Lakers, died in a helicopter crash along with eight other passengers, including his daughter, in January 2020.