Kobe Bryant's NBA Draft Day Inspires the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro “Hornets”

The life and times of Kobe Bryant have been well-documented. One such detail in the NBA superstar's storied career that's been explored multiple times through product has been his Draft Day trade from the Charlotte Hornets to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2020, LA streetwear institution UNDEFEATED masterfully touched on the story of what might've happened if Bryant ended up playing for the Hornets in 1996 with a release of a special "What If?" Kobe 5 Protro pack. According to Sole Retriever on X, Nike Basketball will explore this idea once more with a Hornets-friendly take on the Kobe 9 Elite Low EM Protro. Come Summer 2026, the Performance Retro is expected to land at retailers in a "Fierce Purple/Blue Lagoon/White" color scheme that draws inspiration from the Eastern Conference NBA franchise.

An early, speculative mock-up of the release depicts the bulk of the pair's upper clad in purple, with teal accents appearing by way of the laces, FlyWire, inner lining, and spine components. The game-ready sole unit should keep things simple in white-and-black, although the final version of the sneaker could differ.

Stay tuned for firm Nike.com release details and product shots of the '96 Draft Day-inspired basketball shoe.

For more performance models from the Swoosh conglomerate, check out the Air Jordan 40.