An upcoming movie about how the then-New Jersey Nets <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/08/23/sports/kobe-bryant-movie-to-detail-dramatic-draft-night-saga/">missed out on the late, great Kobe Bryant</a> is the latest reminder of one of the worst decisions in the history of a franchise haunted by a long, sad history of bad decisions.

But from passing on Bryant to trading for Jason Kidd, from mortgaging their future to moving addresses, Sports+ will take a look back at some of the best and worst calls that the Nets have ever made.

Sadly, there probably have been a few more of the latter than the former.

Starting with the decision that prompted the exercise, missing out on Bryant in the fateful 1996 NBA Draft…

From passing on Kobe Bryant to trading for Jason Kidd, the Nets have made some inspiring and some head-scratching moves.{ai:summary}<p>An upcoming film about the Nets missing Kobe Bryant highlights a long record of costly missteps.</p><p>From passing on Bryant in 1996 to the Jason Kidd trade and other upheavals, Sports+ revisits the franchise’s best and worst calls. #sports</p>

The Kobe draft, the Kareem lowball and the J-Kidd trade: Remembering the Nets’ franchise-defining choices

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