2026-27 NBA Season Signature Sneakers by Team

The NBA is back in action. After the New York Knicks shocked the world and brought a chip back to NYC for the first time in 53 years, the NBA offseason shook up the landscape of the league, and we’re all here to witness what the new season will bring. LeBron left the Lakers after eight seasons, which, crazily enough, was actually his longest uninterrupted stint with a single team in his career, for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Memphis Grizzlies offloaded Ja Morant to Portland, bringing him closer to his signature shoe sponsor, Nike, and the Boston Celtics, for some reason, traded Jaylen Brown to the 76ers.

We’re a sneaker publication, so while we’d love to wax poetic about the entire NBA off-season and what that means for the league, our main focus is the sneakers hitting the hardwood in the 2026-27 season. With so many shakeups, signature sneaker announcements, and players leaving their lines, let’s go over the signature sneaker landscape in the NBA for the upcoming season.

Teams with Signature Athletes

Philadelphia 76ers - 4

LeBron James (Nike LeBron 24), Joel Embiid (Skechers SKX JE1), Tyrese Maxey (New Balance Maxey v1), Jaylen Brown (741 Performance Rover & 741 NFH)

Now that LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are on the Philadelphia 76ers, they have taken the top spot as the team with the most signature athletes on one roster. Joining James and Brown are Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, who have signature models with Skechers and New Balance, respectively. Bron is entering the season with multiple sneakers under the Nike LeBron line, including the Nike LeBron 24, Nike LeBron Witness 10, and the Nike LeBron NXXT Gen By JuJu. At the same time, Embiid and Maxey are both on their first sneaker, the Skechers SKX JE 1 and New Balance Maxey v1. On the other hand, Jaylen Brown has just teased his latest sneaker from his own brand, 741 Performance, the NFH (Not From Here).

Miami Heat - 3

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Nike Giannis Freak 8), Andrew Wiggins (Peak AW5), Klay Thompson (ANTA KT11)

The Miami Heat have a fighting chance this NBA season to make a push into the playoffs, and they’ll be helped by two new assets, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson. Both players have had signature sneakers for years, with Giannis rocking his Nike Giannis Freak 8 and Klay with his ANTA KT 11, but did you know Andrew Wiggins has his own model? He signed with Chinese sportswear brand Peak in December 2020, and he’s currently on his 5th model, the Peak AW5.

Portland Trail Blazers - 3

Damian Lillard (adidas Dame 10), Ja Morant (Nike Ja 4), Scoot Henderson (Puma Scoot Zeros III)

The Portland Trail Blazers added another signature athlete to their roster in the offseason after acquiring Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant’s third signature sneaker, the Nike Ja 3, was one of the best sneakers from Nike Basketball and the performance basketball sector in years, and while his Ja 4 doesn’t appear to be reaching the same heights, it's still a solid silhouette.

For Damian Lillard, his return to Portland last year was more ceremonial as he recovered from a torn Achilles, but in his first on-court appearance for the Trail Blazers, he’ll be rocking his adidas Dame 10. Finally, Scoot Henderson, who, unfortunately, hasn’t reached the heights he was expected to, has his own line of Puma sneakers, the Puma Scoot Zeros, which is on its third iteration.

Cleveland Cavaliers - 2

Donovan Mitchell (adidas DON Issue 8), James Harden (adidas Harden Vol. 11)

Two of adidas’ biggest athletes play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, with James Harden being traded from the Clippers in February 2026 and Donovan Mitchell moving to Ohio when he was traded back in 2022. Harden is currently teasing his 11th signature model, the adidas Harden Vol. 11, while Mitchell, who just signed an extension with The Three Stripes, will take the court in the DON Issue 8.

Denver Nuggets - 2

Aaron Gordon (361° AG 7), Nikola Jokic (361° Joker 2)

Over in Denver, the Nuggets have two signature athletes in Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic. Gordon has been with 361° since February 2020 and has released seven signature models, the latest being the AG 7. Horse connoisseur and one of the NBA’s best players, though he may not act like it, Nikola Jokic joined 361° in December 2023, and he’s currently on his second model, the Joker 2.

Golden State Warriors - 2

Stephen Curry (Li-Ning Curry Brand), Jimmy Butler (Li-Ning JB 5)

Stephen Curry is one of a few legendary players to have stuck to a single team across his entire career, giving the Bay Area some exciting years in his prime. But while his allegiance on the court has been cemented, his sneaker deals have been different. He jumped from a Nike deal to Under Armour early in his career, leading the Baltimore-based brand’s basketball label up until November 2025. From there, he tested the waters with a variety of brands, rocking dozens of sneakers throughout the rest of the season, leading to a massive charity auction with the pairs he rocked.

Now, he has a deal with Li-Ning, which includes his own sub-label to sign athletes, a golf line, and of course, a signature shoe. So far, it’s only been player-exclusives of other Li-Ning models, but a Li-Ning-produced Curry sneaker is in the works. Curry joins fellow Golden State Warrior Jimmy Butler at Li-Ning, with Butler debuting his latest model, the JB 5, earlier this year.

Los Angeles Lakers - 2

Luka Doncic (Jordan Luka 5), Austin Reaves (Rigorer AR3?)

Now that LeBron has left the Lakers, they only have two players with signature sneakers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic has been with Jordan Brand since December 2019, and so far, he’s dropped five models, currently on the Luka 5. For Reaves, AR-15 has been with Chinese sportswear brand Rigorer since April 2022, making him the first NBA athlete to sign with the label. He dropped three signature models since then, the AR1, AR2, and AR3, but in the 2025-26 NBA pre-season, he’s ditched the Rigorer shoes for Nikes. Austin signed an extension in 2023 that even made him a shareholder in the company, and he took his media day photos in the AR3, but, interestingly, he hasn’t been seen in Rigorer during the lead-up to the new season.

Minnesota Timberwolves - 2

Anthony Edwards (adidas Anthony Edwards 3), LaMelo Ball (Puma MB.06)

Anthony Edwards was holding it down in Minnesota as the lone wolf with a signature sneaker until LaMelo Ball was traded from Charlotte in the offseason. Currently, Anthony Edwards has his flagship signature sneaker, the AE 3, and a takedown model, the adidas Believe That, while Ball has on and off-court sneakers. This includes the performance-oriented MB.06 and multiple lifestyle models, like the LaFrance RNR and LaFrance.

San Antonio Spurs - 2

De’Aaron Fox (Under Armour D. Fox 3), Victor Wembanyama (Nike Wemby)

De’Aaron Fox was once a Curry Brand athlete under the Under Armour umbrella, but since bossman took Curry Brand over to Li-Ning, he remained as the brand’s lone signature athlete. His D. Fox 3, which was originally called the Curry Fox 3, no longer carries Curry’s logo. The newest member of the signature athlete honor on the Spurs is Victor Wembanyama, who for years has received player-exclusive Nike sneakers with his alien logo. It was announced in the offseason that Wemby would be getting his own shoe with The Swoosh, but we’re still awaiting further details.

Atlanta Hawks - 1

CJ McCollum (Li-Ning CJ 4)

Down in Atlanta, there’s only one player who has a signature sneaker, CJ McCollum, but at one point Trae Young was balling for the Hawks in his own adidas model. He’s since moved on to Jordan Brand and now plays for the Washington Wizards, but McCollum’s signature line with Li-Ning is currently on its fourth model, the CJ 4.

Boston Celtics - 1

Jayson Tatum (Jordan Tatum 5)

After losing Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics have been reduced to a single signature athlete, Jayson Tatum. The lifelong Celtics star helped bring a ring to the city with his Jordan signature line, and now he’s on his fifth model, the Jordan Tatum 5. Technically, Paul George has a signature sneaker line with Nike, but there hasn’t been a new Nike PG since the PG 6 in 2023. However, over in Asia, the PG 1 is expected to get a retro release before the end of the year.

Dallas Mavericks - 1

Kyrie Irving (ANTA KAI 3)

Kyrie Irving has a long sneaker history. He was once one of the premier athletes at Nike, with his Nike Kyrie sneakers being one of the top sellers for the company, but after getting dropped, he found a new home with Chinese sportswear titan ANTA. Since joining the company in 2023, he’s launched three flagship models, the latest being the ANTA Kai 3, a takedown model dubbed the Kai Speed, and a new KAIBRID, which remixes the Kai 1, 2, and 3. There’s also the off-the-court apparel and footwear, including slides, skate-inspired sneakers, and more.

While not confirmed just yet, Irving’s teammate Cooper Flagg recently debuted his signature logo, so we may see some news on a potential sneaker from Flagg in the near future.

Detroit Pistons - 1

Cade Cunningham (Nike Signature Sneaker Confirmed)

Though he’s currently the face of the Nike ST Charge line, Cade Cunningham will be getting his own signature sneaker in the near future. Nike announced Cade’s signature model would debut in the second half of the 2026-27 NBA season. So far, we haven’t seen any imagery of the sneaker, but Cade’s been dropping plenty of PEs of the ST Charge to hold us over in the meantime.

Houston Rockets - 1

Kevin Durant (Nike KD 19)

One of a few athletes who have a lifelong deal with Nike, Kevin Durant is holding it down in Houston as the lone Rocket with a signature model. He’s on his 19th sneaker, the KD 19, but expect to see plenty more even if he retires in the coming years.

Indiana Pacers - 1

Tyrese Haliburton (Puma Hali 2)

It’s a shame that Tyrese Haliburton suffered a season-ending injury in the 2025 NBA Finals, as we only got a few games with the Indiana Pacers star rocking his debut signature sneaker, the Puma Hali 1. While others have carried the torch for the Hali line, Tyrese is entering the 2026-27 NBA season with a second model, the Puma Hali 2. No release info has been shared as of this writing, but expect to learn more as we enter the new season.

Oklahoma City Thunder - 1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Converse SHAI 001; Nike SHAI 002 upcoming)

Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped spearhead Converse’s return to the performance basketball sector, but that’s no longer the case. No, he didn’t go and sign with another brand, as he’s still under the Nike Inc. umbrella, but The Swoosh switched the superstar over the summer. SGA’s next model, the Shai 002, will be under the Nike banner, but there are still a few Converse Shai 001s expected to hit shelves before that happens.

Phoenix Suns - 1

Devin Booker (Nike Book 2)

We’ve been impressed with Devin Booker’s output as a Nike signature athlete, with his Nike Book 1 and now the Book 2 launching in a variety of colorways that sneakerheads can appreciate. Now in his second season without Kevin Durant, Booker will continue to be the only Suns player with their own sneaker.

Sacramento Kings - 1

Darius Acuff Jr. (Reebok Acuff 1 - upcoming)

Darius Acuff Jr. made history as the first NCAA men’s athlete to receive a signature sneaker. While he hasn’t debuted the sneaker just yet, he’ll be playing his rookie season for the Sacramento Kings in the Acuff 1. Reebok just debuted his signature logo, so expect to see the Acuff 1 on the court and in stores very soon.

Toronto Raptors - 1

Kawhi Leonard (New Balance Kawhi 5)

Traveling back to the Great White North after an investigation that resulted in the Los Angeles Clippers receiving major fines, revoked draft picks, and bans for front office staff, Kawhi Leonard is starting the 2026-27 NBA season with a brand new model from New Balance. The Kawhi 5 debuted in April 2026, and it was originally planned for a Summer 2026 release, but the first two colorways are now set to arrive on October 21.

Teams Without a Signature Athlete

Brooklyn Nets

Charlotte Hornets

Chicago Bulls

Los Angeles Clippers

Memphis Grizzlies

Milwaukee Bucks

New Orleans Pelicans

New York Knicks

Orlando Magic

Utah Jazz

Washington Wizards

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com