Vanessa Bryant, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant (Image Source: Getty Images)

Jerry West, the late great of the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away on Wednesday morning at 86. His wife, Vanessa Bryant, paid tribute to the franchise’s history.

Throughout his 14-year career, West, an NBA champion in 1972 and a 14-time All-Star, was a member of the Lakers. He made a name for himself as one of the best offensive guards in NBA history.

Following that, West had a distinguished career as an executive. He added eight championships with LA (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 2000) and the Golden State Warriors (2015 and 2017). Before his passing, the Hall of Famer was a consultant with the Los Angeles Clippers for the previous seven years, from 2017 to 2024.

Vanessa said nothing to comment. Underneath the picture, however, she put two purple and gold Lakers-colored hearts.

When West joined the Lakers as general manager in 1982, he was in charge of obtaining Kobe Bryant’s 1996 NBA draft rights. On Wednesday, Vanessa Bryant posted a throwback photo of the two LA superstars from 1996 on her Instagram story in remembrance of him.

Jerry West’s Role in Kobe Bryant’s Journey to the Lakers

Jerry West’s selection of Kobe Bryant in the 1996 draft was deemed hazardous since Bryant was just 17 years old and fresh out of high school. But it turned out to be what many people believe to be the most significant decision in LA’s franchise history.

In June 1996, West offered center Vlade Divac to rival clubs after being pleased by Bryant’s pre-draft workouts in an attempt to get a lottery pick. Meanwhile, he sought cap space in the notoriously competitive 1996 free-agency class to pursue a high-profile target.

In the end, West persuaded the Charlotte Hornets to exchange their No. 13 pick—which they had previously spent on Bryant—for Divac. The transaction officially became effective after the league’s embargo period expired on July 11, 1996. One week later, on July 18, the Lakers signed superstar center Shaquille O’Neal to a seven-year, $120 million free-agency contract with their excess cap space.

Bryant played for the Lakers for all 20 of his brilliant seasons, winning five championships. In addition, he was selected to 15 All-NBA teams, 18 All-Star teams, and the 2008 MVP team.