Who Got the Hottest Kicks? A List of NBA Players with Signature Shoes in 2024

NBA players have always established trends when it comes to sneakers. Basketball players have been at the vanguard of sneaker culture since the beginning, from the Puma and Converse era through the 80s and 90s Nike, Jordan, and Adidas surge. With several contemporary NBA players owning their own unique sneakers, that practice is still carried out today. 

Which NBA players will have signature shoes for the 2023–2024 season? Just 24 players in the NBA currently have their own trademark shoe—technically, 23 because Kyrie and Nike severed their relationship. This represents only around 5% of all players. Let’s examine their personal lives, brand affiliations, and most current releases.

NBA Players Having Nike Exclusive Footwear

One of the most well-known companies in the world, Nike has a lengthy history of working with some of the NBA’s greatest and most recognizable players. Nike has perhaps had the largest influence on the development of the basketball sneaker market, from the Nike Air Jordans to the Kobe 6. Six NBA players have signature basketball shoes starting in December 2022.

• LeBron- Nike LeBron 20 

Before declaring for the NBA draft in 2003, LeBron James, who is regarded by many as the greatest player of all time, agreed to a $70 million, 10-year endorsement contract with Nike. LeBron agreed to a “lifetime” contract with them in 2016; the deal was allegedly valued at $1 billion.

Since 2003, LeBron and Nike have collaborated on 20 distinct signature shoe releases, such as the LeBron Soldier, LeBron Ambassador, and LeBron XV. The first signature shoe was the Nike “Air Zoom Generations.” Both basketball players and sneakerheads adore LeBron’s shoes because of their powerful performance qualities and eye-catching style.

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• Kevin Durant- Nike KD 15

Kevin “The Slim Reaper” Durant was the second-largest rookie endorsement deal at the time, behind LeBron James, when he first inked a 60-million dollar agreement with the swoosh brand back in 2007. KD reportedly agreed to a $300 million 10-year contract when he re-signed with Nike in 2014.

Every version of the KD line has introduced cutting-edge technology, resulting in some of the most inventive and performance-driven basketball shoes available. With Nike, KD has 15 distinct signature basketball shoe models; the KD15 is the newest. The KD15s have a moulded heel for Achilles support, TPU wings for stability, and a multilayered mesh top for ventilation. For a light and responsive fit, it also has full-length Air Zoom Strobel technology.

• Ja Morant- JA1

Grizzlies supporters and hoops shoe aficionados are ecstatic about the addition of Ja Morant to the exclusive list of Nike signature shoes. The long-awaited Ja 1 is scheduled for release in April 2023. Nike has dubbed him as their first “Gen-Z athlete,” emphasizing his status as a promising young athlete.

A number of Ja 1 hues, including “Day One” (Cobalt Bliss), “Phantom,” “White Sundial” (Kids), “Game Royal,” “Rapid Teal,” and “Midnight,” are scheduled for release by Nike. For a limited time, Ja Morant’s own branding and narrative components will be included in every sneaker.

• Paul George- PG 6

Six years after Paul George’s first NBA season, the PG 1, his first signature sneaker with Nike, debuted in September 2016. One of the most well-liked sneakers in the NBA very soon was the PG 1.

In the present tense, George’s newest sneaker is the PG 6. Its design has flowing lines and bold colour paneling. For a springy feel, the upper is composed of lightweight mesh and rests on responsive React foam cushioning.
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• Giannis Antetokoumpo- Nike Zoom Freak 4

The ascent to superstardom of Giannis Antetokounmpo, often known as the Greek Freak, seems to have happened overnight, yet most NBA fans knew coming into his 2016–17 season that Giannis would be a formidable player.

The Zoom Freak shoe line, which Antetokounmpo re-signed with Nike in November 2017 on a long-term contract renewal, debuted on June 29, 2019, with the release of the Zoom Freak 1. Two years later. Prior to the NBA season’s relaunch in the bubble in Orlando, the Zoom Freak 2, the second shoe in the line, was introduced in July 2020. Over time, Antetokounmpo’s footwear has garnered significant notice and popularity. Currently, he is wearing the Zoom Freak 4.

• Kyrie Irving- Nike Kyrie 8

In 2014, during Kyrie Irving’s fourth season and already a two-time All-Star, Nike introduced his first signature shoe. The Nike Kyrie Infinity was the final of eight signature sneakers that Kyrie and Nike manufactured together. Kyrie was the 20th player to receive a shoe under the Nike brand. On December 5, 2022, Kyrie’s collaboration with Nike came to an end when he posted a link to a documentary on Twitter that contained antisemitic remarks.

• James Harden- Adidas Harden Vol. 7

James Harden is presently sporting the Adidas Harden Vol. 7, his seventh generation of signature sneakers. He inked a $200 million megadeal back in 2015, and the first volume was out shortly after, on December 3rd, 2016 to be exact!

During the 2022–2023 NBA season, the former MVP has been killing the Harden Vol. 7, but as of right now, there is no information on the publication date.

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• Damian Lillard- Adidas Dame 8

It’s safe to say that Damian Lillard and the Three Stripes brand have had success since he inked a $100 million, ten-year contract with them in 2014. Early in 2015, during Lillard’s third NBA season, the initial version of The D Lillard 1 was made available. Dame is currently wearing the Adidas Dame 8, his trademark sneaker, in its eighth iteration.

The shoe’s upper is composed of breathable mesh and is joined to a dual-density Bounce Pro midsole for stability and comfort. There are various colour options for the Dame 8, including “Respect My Name” and “Dame Time.”

• Trae Young- Adidas Trae Young 2.0

During the Atlanta Hawks’ 2021 postseason run, Trae Young made his debut wearing his first signature shoe—the Adidas Trae Young 1’s—after inking a multi-year contract with the company in 2019.

Young, the two-time All-Star, debuted the Trae Young 2.0 on November 1st, 2022. Its knit top and combination of EVA foam on the front and Boost cushioning in the heel contribute to the shoe’s comfort and stability.

• Donovan Mitchell- Adidas D.O.N Issue 4

The first signature shoe for NBA star Donovan Mitchell, known as the “D.O.N. Issue #1,” was presented by Adidas Basketball on December 27, 2018. The shoe’s name is a play on Mitchell’s motto, “Determination Over Negativity.”

The D.O.N Issue #4 shoes are Mitchell’s newest offering; they feature a lightweight, breathable upper and Lightstrike cushioning.