In the annals of NBA history, few draft nights carry the weight of what-ifs like the 2017 NBA Draft. For Jayson Tatum, a lifelong Kobe Bryant fan and Los Angeles Lakers devotee, that night was a pivotal moment that shaped his career and left an indelible mark on the Lakers’ trajectory. The little-known fact? The Lakers, holding the second overall pick, had the chance to draft Tatum—a player who idolized their franchise and could have been their next cornerstone. Instead, they passed, and the ripple effects of that decision continue to reverberate for both Tatum and the Lakers.
A Dream So Close, Yet So Far
Growing up, Jayson Tatum’s basketball dreams were painted in purple and gold. Kobe Bryant was his idol, and the Lakers were his team. When the 2017 NBA Draft approached, Tatum, fresh off a stellar freshman season at Duke, was a consensus top prospect. With the Philadelphia 76ers holding the first pick and the Lakers slotted at No. 2, Tatum dared to dream of donning the Lakers’ jersey. “Kobe was my favorite player, and the Lakers were my favorite team growing up,” Tatum revealed on ESPN’s First Take. “You get so close to accomplishing your dream, and you see the Lakers have the second pick. That hurt a little, feeling like there was no consideration they wanted to draft me.”
The Lakers, however, chose Lonzo Ball, a local product from UCLA whose playmaking and charisma promised to usher in a new era. The 76ers, meanwhile, traded up to select Markelle Fultz, a decision that would soon be regarded as one of the franchise’s biggest missteps. Tatum fell to the Boston Celtics at No. 3, a team poised to contend but in need of a franchise star to elevate them. For Tatum, falling to third stung. “I wanted to be the number one pick, and I felt like I was the best player, so I was upset a little at first,” he admitted. That disappointment fueled a fire that has since defined his career.
The Lakers’ Missed Opportunity
The decision to pass on Tatum looms large in Lakers history. At the time, the franchise was in transition, searching for a new identity in the post-Kobe era. Magic Johnson, then the team’s president of basketball operations, prioritized Ball’s vision and passing to jumpstart a fast-paced, Showtime-esque style. But Tatum, with his versatile scoring, defensive potential, and clutch mentality, could have been the heir apparent to Bryant’s legacy. His skill set—a blend of mid-range artistry, three-point shooting, and defensive versatility—mirrored the qualities that made Kobe a legend.
Had the Lakers drafted Tatum, their future might have unfolded differently. When LeBron James arrived in Los Angeles in 2018, a young Tatum could have been the perfect co-star, easing the pressure on James and forming a dynamic duo for the long haul. Instead, the Lakers leaned on Ball, Brandon Ingram, and a collection of young talent that struggled to gel. While the team eventually won a championship in 2020 with Anthony Davis alongside James, their long-term outlook has been clouded by inconsistent roster moves and a lack of homegrown stars. Tatum, now a perennial All-NBA performer, could have been the franchise’s cornerstone for a decade or more.
Philadelphia’s Regret and Boston’s Gain
The 76ers’ decision to trade up for Fultz is equally haunting. Philadelphia’s front office, led by Bryan Colangelo, saw Fultz as the missing piece to complement Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. But Fultz’s tenure was marred by injuries and a mysterious loss of shooting form, rendering him one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory. Meanwhile, Tatum, selected by the Celtics, blossomed into a superstar. His ability to take over games, evidenced by his playoff heroics against Philadelphia—eliminating them in all three postseason matchups—has been a constant reminder of their blunder. “I defeated the 76ers to eliminate them all three times they played each other in the postseason,” Tatum noted with a hint of satisfaction.
For Boston, Tatum’s arrival was a stroke of fortune. The Celtics, already stocked with talent like Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, were a contender in need of a final piece. Tatum fit seamlessly, evolving into a two-way force and leading the team to multiple Eastern Conference Finals and an NBA championship in 2024. His connection to Kobe Bryant, who mentored him personally, further shaped his mentality. “Getting to learn from my idol was a dream come true,” Tatum said, reflecting on his time with Bryant. While he didn’t wear purple and gold, suiting up for the Celtics—a franchise with its own storied history—allowed Tatum to carve out a legacy that rivals what he might have achieved in Los Angeles.
A Career Forged in Resilience
The 2017 draft night didn’t just alter franchises; it shaped Tatum’s mindset. Feeling overlooked by the 76ers and Lakers fueled his drive to prove himself. “It felt like a slap in the face to have two teams pass on me,” he admitted. That chip on his shoulder has translated into a relentless pursuit of greatness. From his 50-point playoff performances to his clutch game-winners, Tatum has consistently risen to the occasion, cementing himself as one of the NBA’s elite.
Even as he recovers from a torn Achilles suffered during the 2024 playoffs, Tatum’s focus remains unshaken. His recent appearance on First Take highlighted his resilience and optimism, as he discussed his rehab, his upcoming shoe release, and his gratitude for landing in Boston. “I feel grateful for how things turned out as the best-case scenario,” he said. “If I couldn’t wear the purple and gold, suiting up for their rival and crafting my own legacy for a historic franchise was the next best thing.”
The What-If That Lingers
For the Lakers, the 2017 draft remains a sliding-doors moment. What if they had chosen Tatum over Ball? Could he have been the bridge between the Kobe and LeBron eras, leading the franchise into a new golden age? For Tatum, the snub was a blessing in disguise, propelling him to a franchise that maximized his potential. The little-known fact of that fateful night—the Lakers’ decision to pass on a player who dreamed of wearing their jersey—changed the course of both Tatum’s career and the Lakers’ future. As Tatum continues to ascend, and the Lakers search for their next franchise star, that night in 2017 remains a poignant reminder of how a single choice can alter destinies forever.