The Los Angeles Lakers are set to introduce a striking new alternate jersey for the 2026-2027 NBA season. Revealed during an event hosted by Nike, the "Specter" jersey incorporates a distinctive color palette and reimagined design features.
The new uniform presents a blend of purple and black, accented with yellow for the Lakers' wordmark across the chest and the trim of the jersey. A notable design change includes the Nike logo, which will be positioned in the center of the chest rather than its typical placement on the right shoulder.
The Specter jersey also features a blue and white stripe near the front shoulders, a potential nod to the Lakers' historical blue and yellow color schemes. This release is part of a broader initiative by the NBA and Nike to offer "Standard Issue Collection" jerseys for all teams, alongside the "Specter Edition" uniforms. These new designs aim to connect teams to the league's historical roots.
NBA VP Creative Director for Nike Basketball, Ross Klein, stated that the collection celebrates "the attitude, creativity and individuality of today’s hoopers, combining bold team identity and modern style." Michael Brady, Global Head of Merchandise Partnerships & Business Affairs at the NBA, described the collection as the "next evolution of our partnership with Nike, redefining how team identity and basketball culture are expressed across the league" and that it will bring "a new energy and a modern look to NBA fandom."
The Lakers are not the only team adopting the Specter uniform. The NBA announced that other franchises expected to wear similar jerseys next season include the Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics.