Kobe Bryant Draft-Day Film 'With the 8th Pick' in Development — Could This Be the Next 'Air' or a Missed Shot?
From Nets to Lakers, a pivotal story hits the screen.
Sports films often shine brightest when they focus on the behind-the-scenes drama, and Warner Bros.’ latest project certainly leans into that. With the 8th Pick will trace the frantic two weeks leading up to the 1996 NBA Draft.
Written by Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen, the script reimagines Kobe Bryant’s draft not as a straightforward sports milestone but as a high-stakes thriller.
Draft Tension and Business Stakes
The story is told through Nets GM John Nash and new coach John Calipari, who both wanted to land Bryant. But the Nets’ financial struggles, Kobe’s admiration for the Lakers, and a much sweeter Adidas deal tied to Los Angeles made the decision complicated.
It’s one of those moments that shaped the league and left fans wondering 'what if,' even decades later.
Echoes of Air, but a Different Angle
Comparisons are already being made to Ben Affleck’s Air, which turned a shoe contract into a prestige drama. The difference is clear: Kobe won’t be a shadowy off-screen figure. He and his father, Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant, are set to appear as central characters, giving the story an intimacy that fans may not expect from a draft-room film.
Still Early Days
No cast or director has been announced, but Warner Bros. has partnered with producers from King Richard, which suggests ambition. The question now is whether With the 8th Pick can capture both the tension of draft-day wheeling and dealing and the emotional spark of a teenage phenom about to change basketball forever.
