The Air Jordan 4 has worn a lot of colorways over the years. But few are as historically loaded as the one dropping today. The Air Jordan 4 Imperial Purple, known widely as the Lakers colorway, is now available in full family sizing at Nike SNKRS, Foot Locker, Champs Sports, SNIPES, DTLR, and other select retailers. It costs $220 for adults, $165 for grade schoolers, $105 for preschoolers, and $90 for toddlers.
There is something quietly absurd about this shoe existing at all. Michael Jordan won his first NBA Championship in 1991 by going through Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and the Los Angeles Lakers at The Forum. He then spent the better part of the decade making sure the franchise stayed out of his way. For the shoe that carries his name to show up in purple and gold feels, at minimum, like a historical footnote worth acknowledging.
The shoe starts with a deep Imperial Purple nubuck upper, a material that gives the silhouette more texture and richness than standard leather. University Gold appears at the outsole, the insoles, and the tongue branding. The heel features Nike Air branding with a speckled treatment that reads as deliberately aged, a nod to the worn-in look of a sneaker with some history behind it. Black and grey accents tie together the netting, eyestays, and smaller details without overwhelming the purple-and-gold core.
The Air Jordan 4 originally debuted in 1989. Tinker Hatfield designed it, and it has since been released in more colorways than most people can count. This Lakers-inspired version is among the more visually striking of the recent bunch, partly because the color combination works so well on the silhouette and partly because the context surrounding it gives the shoe a layer of meaning that most releases do not have.
The Lakers connection and what Jordan Brand is really honoring
Jordan Brand has a habit of releasing shoes that nod to teams Jordan played against, particularly those he beat on the biggest stages. But the Imperial Purple colorway carries an additional layer. Jordan and Kobe Bryant shared a relationship that began as mentorship and grew into genuine friendship over the years. Several of the most celebrated Jordan player exclusives ever made came out of that bond. The Lakers colorway quietly honors that chapter of the Jordan legacy alongside the competitive one.
It is worth noting that Jordan was already wearing the Air Jordan 6 by the time the 1991 Finals took place. He never laced up the 4 in a championship game. That slight disconnect from the historical record does not diminish the shoe. If anything, the Imperial Purple colorway functions more as a broader tribute to an era than a literal recreation of anything Jordan wore on the court.
Resale prices and what to expect today
The shoe had already attracted significant attention in the secondary market before its official release. Average resale prices on platforms like StockX were tracking around $293, with some pairs listed above $300. Whether that holds after today depends largely on how many pairs hit the market. Air Jordans have a tendency to move fast regardless of colorway, and this one carries enough cultural weight to draw buyers from both sneaker circles and NBA fan communities.
Some retailers are running standard first-come drops. Others are using EQL raffles, which spread access more evenly but require advance registration. Nike SNKRS is handling its own draw. Shoppers who miss today can turn to StockX or GOAT, though the premium above retail could climb if the colorway proves as popular as early signals suggest.
The Air Jordan 4 Imperial Purple is the kind of release that appeals to multiple audiences at once, sneaker collectors who track every new Tinker Hatfield silhouette, Lakers fans who want a shoe that speaks to their franchise’s legacy, and Jordan fans who understand the deeper competitive and personal history woven into the purple and gold. Whether you are buying for the culture or the closet, it is available now.
