Quick Facts
- The latest Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro will come in Hornets purple and teal.
- Kobe was drafted by the Hornets before being immediately traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.
- The Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro Charlotte to LA will be released June 26, 2026.
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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. Playing into the fact that Kobe was traded from the Hornets to LA, the pair features a mixture of colors that fit both squads. It looks like some of the panels will wearaway to reveal a yellow color, with the heel tab splitting the embroidered "KOBE" text between Hornets blue and purple and Lakers gold.
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 Charlotte to LA will release June 26, 2026 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $145. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
