A Kobe Bryant movie is in development

What’s interesting and unexpected is the scope of the project. Kobe’s life would be an easy pick for a traditional cradle-to-grave biopic. He had more than enough newsworthy, headline-making moments to fuel a sweeping narrative. Instead, the script reportedly zeroes in on the 1996 NBA Draft, with comparisons being made to 'Moneyball' and 'Air' as a behind-the-scenes business story. Which raises the question: are we getting a Kobe Bryant movie, or just a Kobe’s draft night movie?

Here’s the thing: Bryant’s draft night was notable, sure, but hardly cinematic. He was a high schooler jumping straight to the pros, but Kevin Garnett had already blazed that trail (and Moses Malone decades before that). Kobe was taken 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, then flipped to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. Trades happen all the time on draft night, and while the deal worked out historically for L.A., it wasn’t exactly fireworks in the moment. Frankly, it doesn’t even hold up against something like Luka Doncic and Trae Young being swapped for each other.

Furthermore, the spec that Warner Bros. picked up is reportedly titled 'With the 8th Pick?,' a curious choice given that Kobe wasn’t drafted eighth overall. That spot belonged to the New Jersey Nets. The lore goes that Nets GM John Nash wanted to roll the dice on Kobe, but then-head coach John Calipari balked, pushing the team to take Kerry Kittles instead. Calipari has sometimes pushed back on that narrative, but the myth has stuck.

Which means this film may not really be about Kobe as much as it is about the 1996 NBA Draft itself, with Kobe serving as the pivot point for a handful of sliding-door decisions. That’s arguably a more compelling angle than just dramatizing Kobe sitting in a suit and waiting for his name to be called. Done right, it could be a process movie about scouting, egos, and risk-taking. Of course, all that depends on whether this project actually escapes development limbo.

(h/t Variety)