Air Jordan 4 Lakers Drops
The Air Jordan 4 "Lakers" colorway headlines this week's sneaker releases during the March 2-7 window, celebrating the iconic LA franchise with purple-and-gold styling. YouTube coverage highlights this as one of March 2026's most anticipated drops alongside Jordan x Off White collabs.
The Air Jordan 4 first hit shelves in 1989 for $110, marking the first time a Jordan sneaker was released globally. Legendary designer Tinker Hatfield focused on performance, introducing over-molded mesh for breathability and a lightweight synthetic leather called Durabuck. The silhouette was instantly cemented in pop culture, appearing in Spike Lee’s 1989 film "Do The Right Thing." That same year, Michael Jordan wore the "Bred" colorway when he hit his iconic, series-winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers, known simply as "The Shot." While not an official collaboration, this release's "Imperial Purple" and gold color scheme is a direct nod to the Los Angeles Lakers. The theme specifically references the 2002-03 NBA season when Kobe Bryant, during his sneaker free agency, wore player-exclusive (PE) Air Jordans in the Lakers' colors. This 2026 version features a premium purple suede upper, with black accents on the signature TPU support wings and netting. Golden yellow details appear on the Jumpman tongue logo and the Nike Air branding on the heel, completing the tribute. For longtime collectors, the packaging is a key detail. The release marks the return of the retro Michael Jordan "face box," a nostalgic element from the early 2000s era of Jordan releases. An early drop is slated for NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, with a wider release scheduled for March 7, 2026. The sneaker will be available in full-family sizing, with the men's pair retailing for around $220.