Nike Expands the Protro Lineup With the Kobe Bryant x Dunk Low "Draft Day"
The special-edition release features wear-away details honoring the iconic 1996 draft night trade.
Name: Nike Kobe Dunk Low Protro “Draft Day”
Colorway: Fierce Purple/Blue Lagoon-Sail
SKU: IM0586-500
MSRP: $145 USD
Release Date: Summer 2026
Where to Buy: Nike
That fateful night in June 1996 forever altered the landscape of basketball, and Nike is continuing to celebrate Kobe Bryant‘s unparalleled legacy with a brand-new crossover silhouette. After successfully reshaping his legendary performance retro line, the Swoosh is officially bringing the Protro concept to its lifestyle icons with the upcoming release of the Kobe Bryant x Nike Dunk Low Protro “Draft Day.”
The special-edition release centers around the monumental evening Kobe was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Perfectly capturing that rapid transition, the Dunk Low features an interactive wear-away element on the Swoosh and heel. Over time and with standard wear, the details naturally shift from a Hornets-inspired teal to a Lakers-ready yellow, serving as a brilliant visual metaphor for the move that kickstarted his Hall of Fame career.
Staying true to Kobe’s mindset of constant improvement, the Protro edition offers massive technological upgrades to the classic 1980s Dunk Low blueprint. The sneaker boasts a drop-in React foam setup for elite, modernized comfort, along with enhanced padding across the tongue and inner lining. Down below, the outsole features a completely redesigned traction pattern infused with Kobe’s signature sheath logo and a distinct snakeskin-inspired texture.
The Kobe Bryant x Nike Dunk Low Protro “Draft Day” is scheduled to release in Summer 2026 via Nike and select retailers.
