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Hornets’ Biggest Blunders: The 2 MVPs Who Got Away

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 23, 2025 3:16 PM ET

You don’t often get a shot at greatness—much less twice. Yet the Charlotte Hornets managed to land two eventual NBA MVPs in the draft… and let both slip away before they ever took the court.

In 1996, with the 13th pick, the Hornets selected a skinny high schooler named Kobe Bryant. Just 17 years old, Bryant had already dazzled scouts with his work ethic and swagger. But minutes after the pick, Charlotte sent him to the Lakers for veteran center Vlade Divac—a move meant to win immediately.

Kobe went on to become a five-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and the league’s MVP in 2008. He scored 33,643 points over a 20-year career, retired with two jerseys hanging in the rafters, and redefined the “Mamba Mentality.” Divac? He lasted two seasons in Charlotte.

Fast-forward to 2018. The Hornets held the 11th pick and selected Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, praised for his size, IQ, and defensive potential. Minutes later, they flipped him to the Clippers for the rights to Miles Bridges and two second-rounders.

Today, SGA is the 2025 NBA MVP, leading the Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the West while averaging 30.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. He’s just 26 and already a two-time All-NBA First Team selection. Meanwhile, the Hornets have been stuck in rebuild purgatory, making just three playoff appearances since 2002—and winning zero series.

The sting for Charlotte fans isn’t just in what was lost—it’s in what never got the chance to grow. Imagine a Hornets roster built around Kobe Bryant in the 2000s. Imagine Shai leading this current squad through the East.

These aren’t just trades. They’re seismic “what-ifs” that continue to echo through Buzz City.

Hornets fans deserve better. The next time Charlotte holds a high pick, history says: don’t trade it. You might be giving up more than a player—you could be giving up a legacy.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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