Nike Kobe 4 “Draft Day Lakers” Won’t Be A Blind-Box For Kids

Earlier this year, Nike Basketball unveiled one of the more creative concepts in recent memory with the Kobe 4 Protro “Draft Day” Pack. Inspired by the 1996 NBA Draft and the thirteen teams that passed on Kobe Bryant before he landed with the Los Angeles Lakers, the collection was originally presented as a blind-box experience featuring multiple team-specific variations.

We’re learning that arguably the most coveted version of the pack — the Lakers edition — will be dropping on it’s own, but with a catch. Official retailer images have surfaced confirming that Nike will be releasing the Los Angeles edition as a standalone product rather than as part of the larger blind-box concept. It will be slated exclusively in kids sizing, and it’s unclear if the other thirteen will be available as well.

The entirety of the shoe is covered in the Lakers golden yellow, with fierce purple accents on the Swoosh with a white border. Yellow and Purple combine on the outsole for a haphazard camouflage-esque blend, staying true to the Kobe 4 “Lakers”. What remains unclear is whether Nike will preserve some of the storytelling elements that made the original concept so compelling because these newly surfaced images do not reveal the insoles or interior details, leaving questions about whether the draft lottery-inspired ping pong ball graphics or draft board references hidden behind the tongue will make the transition to retail.

For now, the appearance of the Lakers edition suggests that at least part of the “Draft Day” concept will reach consumers outside of the original blind-box format. Whether additional team colorways eventually follow remains to be seen, so stay tuned for official release details as they become available and look out for this Kobe 4 to hit retailers on June 26th for $122.

Also dropping on June 26th will be the Dunk Low Protro “Draft Day” which features a purple/teal exterior.