Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro is Getting a Charlotte Hornets Colorway

These days, it's rare for superstar pro athletes to spend their entire career with one team, no matter the sport. Steph Curry with the Warriors, Aaron Judge with the Yankees, and so on, but few have shone as bright for a franchise as Kobe did during his 20 years with the Lakers. Still, many forget that Bryant was originally drafted by the Charlotte Hornets before being immediately traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac, so there is an alternate timeline where Kobe spent his career in purple and teal.

Following up a Kobe Dunk Low Protro Lower Merion Pack paying tribute to the Black Mamba’s high school alma mater, the latest Kobe Dunk Low Protro picks up after graduation on draft night, and reminisces about what could have been. There are no photos of the shoe yet, but with a fierce purple/blue lagoon colorway, the Dunk color blocking is pretty easy to predict, and in our speculative mock-up, we took the faux snakeskin from the Nike Air Force 1 Low Protro and added it to the upper here as well.

Nike has been on a roll with the Kobe line this year, but the lifestyle colorways on Dunks and Air Force 1s slated for next year are even more exciting. It’s still not exactly clear what will come from bringing the Protro label (performance retro) to the Dunk, but if the Air Force 1 is any indication, it will be made with premium materials and feature updated cushioning.

The Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro Hornets will release Summer 2026 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $135. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.