Nike Readies 13 Different "Draft Day" Kobe 4 Releases Inspired by the NBA Teams That Passed on Bryant

Kobe Bryant played his entire 20-year NBA career for the Los Angeles Lakers. Before joining the purple-and-gold as a result of the 1996 NBA Draft, 13 different franchises passed up on him, with the Charlotte Hornets trading him to L.A. before the night ended.

As part of its Summer 2026 roster, Nike Basketball is remembering the occasion by releasing over a dozen "Draft Day" Kobe 4 Protro releases, each inspired by the 13 teams that passed up on the teenager.

Over the last decade, the Swoosh conglomerate has touched on Bryant's Draft Day story on a few occasions—via solo and collaborative efforts. One of the most-celebrated projects was UNDEFEATED's "What If?" collaboration, which outfitted the Kobe 5 Protro in colors inspired by the Hornets and other NBA teams who weren't convinced enough by the 17-year-old to add him to their rosters.

The 13 teams that passed on Kobe Bryant were the: Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Vancouver Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Each commemorative pair of the "Draft Day" Kobe 4 Protro sees color schemes inspired by the teams that passed on Bryant. Additionally, insoles are marked with each franchise's position in the '96 NBA Draft.

Stay tuned for firm Nike.com release details, which should follow a "blind bag" style. Some pairs are expected to be more limited than others.