Select Model

    WE INDEPENDENTLY CHOOSE ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON OUR SITE. WE MAY RECEIVE A COMMISSION WHEN YOU CLICK ON LINKS TO THOSE PRODUCTS. YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AFFILIATE POLICY IN OUR TERMS OF USE.

    WIN: Rolex GMT-Master II "Bruce Wayne"
    Unreleased Nike LeBron 23 basketball shoe inspired by the Watch The Throne-inspired Nike LeBron 9 from 2011, a Friends & Family-exclusive from 2011. Photo via Frankie Walker Sr.

    First-Look: Nike LeBron 23 "Watch The Throne" Ahead of Possible Miami Return

    Written By

    Jovani Hernandez

    Date

    2026.07.22

    Shop Nike LeBron Releases on KICKS CREW

    Is LeBron James returning to the Miami Heat? Although the franchise has gone on record to say that it would love to have the 41-year old on its squad again, "King James" has yet to make his decision public. The recent appearance of a "Watch The Throne" Nike LeBron 23, however, adds further fuel to the fire that is the four-time NBA champion's return to South Florida.

    The unreleased Nike Basketball shoe was shared to Instagram Stories by Frankie Walker Sr., a father figure to "the kid from Akron." The LeBron 23 is clad in a "Black/Metallic Gold" color scheme inspired by Watch the Throne, the 2011 collaborative studio album from Jay-Z and Kanye West. James and his Nike Family first played around with the luxurious makeover on the LeBron 9 as part of a Friends & Family-exclusive project; the ultra-limited sneaker eventually saw a commercial launch in 2022.

    Walker Sr.'s photo of the WTT LeBrons arrives in the aftermath of a viral moment in which the Miami Heat's YouTube Channel prematurely published a pending video titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" with a July 27 date. The F&F LeBron 9 first appeared in 2011 during LBJ's time with the Heat, an organization believed to be a frontrunner in James' next NBA team given his history there.

    Nike LeBron 9 "Watch The Throne" 2022 Release. Photo via Nike.
    “Note”Nike LeBron 9 "Watch The Throne" 2022 Release. Photo via Nike.

    Read: "Agassi's Nike Air Tech Challenge II to Release with "Back to the Future" Inspo"

    Stay tuned for more details on the "Watch the Throne" LeBron 23. Pairs could release via Nike.com, Foot Locker, and other popular retailers over the next year.

    For more performance footwear styles, check out the adidas Adizero Evo SL running shoe.

    Download the House of Heat° app (iOS/Android) to stay on top of the year's hottest releases.

    Shop Basketball Gear on Nike
    Author:Jovani HernandezDate:2026.07.22Tags:
    NikeKobe 10basketballnike basketballLeBron
    Keep ScrollingServing up your next slice of heat

    Loading Next Article