All The Sneakers Nike and Jordan Signature Athletes Will Wear this NBA Season
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We’re about one week into the 2025-26 NBA season, and we’ve been treated to some crazy action. Victor Wembanyama is proving that he’s not from planet Earth, averaging 30.2 points, 14.6 rebounds, and 4.8 blocks per game. The sample size is small, but maybe it's his kicks that are helping him dominate the competition? The answer is… probably, but more so to do with his natural talent. Still, the sneaker of choice for some of the league’s top talent does have an impact on how they play each season.
With the season so fresh, we decided to look at all the signature sneakers that will be worn by Nike and Jordan Brand athletes. Check below for a small breakdown on each NBA superstar's sneaker and direct links to shop the kicks.
Nike Basketball
LeBron James
The King. The Chosen One. LeGoat. It doesn’t matter how you refer to LeBron James, he’s one of the greatest players ever to grace the hardwood. In his 23rd season, Nike is launching at least 23 different colorways of his latest signature sneaker, the Nike LeBron 23, with each telling a story from his illustrious career. The model integrates one of LeBron’s most recognizable emblems, his crown logo, into the design, acting as a containment system for your feet. That is also paired with a full-length ZoomX insert that also features a carbon plate for torsional resistance.
Kevin Durant
Now onto his 18th signature sneaker, Kevin Durant and Nike looked to the Slim Reaper’s DMV roots for inspiration on the KD 18. The midfoot uses the same cage as the Air Terra Humara, a cult-classic Nike model popular in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, but it's packed with modern-day tech. Cushioning includes a forefoot Zoom Air unit, Dot Weld heel Strobel, and Cushlon foam. The bottom layer also contains Nike Air cushioning in the heel.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak hopes he can carry his Milwaukee Bucks to a deep playoff run while lacing up his seventh signature model, the Nike Giannis Freak 7. Built specifically around Giannis’ devastating Euro step (come on, five-steps SHOULD be a travel), the sneaker comes with upgraded traction on the outsole that subtly integrates “ANTETOKOUNMPO” text into the pattern. The upper takes inspiration from traditional Greek sandals, while the sole unit contains full-length Cushlon 3.0 foam.
Ja Morant
While LeBron James and Kevin Durant have arguably been carrying Nike Basketball for the last half-decade, Ja Morant is showing that he’s next to carry the torch. His first two models, the Ja 1 and 2, were positively received by hoopers, but his third sneaker is going mega-viral online among sneakerheads, casuals, and basketball players. Posts on X and Instagram with his Nike Ja 3 are garnering hundreds of thousands of views, especially the Nike By You version of the sneaker. The upper is covered in a mini “JA” monogram that acts as reinforcement for the mesh base, while Morant’s first name is spelled out via the midfoot Swoosh and “A” cutout. It’s also packed with tech, as the sole unit contains full-length ZoomX foam for a bouncy and cushioned on-foot experience. Traction continues the “JA” monogram print and is patterned similarly to a car tire.
Devin Booker
The Nike Book 1 has been on the market for nearly two years now, and even if Devin Booker’s second model is only months away from an official debut, he’ll be taking the court in the original for the time being. It’s really not a super flashy sneaker, but that’s how Book likes it. Devin and Nike designers took the phrase “future classic” and ran with it, taking design motifs and language from vintage Nike Basketball models to inform the design of the Book 1. Even with the retro appearance, the inside is packed with modern tech like Cushlon foam and a Zoom Air unit in the heel. The real selling point is its lightweight build and the colorways that draw inspiration from classic Nike sneakers.
Jordan Brand
Jayson Tatum
He may be sidelined for the majority of the 2025-26 NBA season, but Jayson Tatum will most definitely be seen on the court via his Jordan Tatum 4. His latest signature sneaker just launched earlier in October, and we’ve already got previews of multiple colorways on the horizon. Next up for the sneaker is a Bred rendition, which drops on November 1, but Tatum has already paid homage to the Boston Celtics and to his hometown of St. Louis with the sneaker. Be on the lookout for the World Tour pack, which will be launched exclusively in St. Louis and Boston next month. As for tech, the sneaker uses Cushlon foam and a Zoom Air bag in the forefoot.
Luka Doncic
After his shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, all eyes were on Luka Doncic. Jordan Brand realized it was the perfect time to debut his next sneaker, the Luka 4, and it’s been a mainstay for the label throughout the summer. The silhouette uses Flightwire cables on the upper for lightweight containment, while the sole unit features Cushlon 3.0 foam and a Zoom Air unit in the forefoot.
Zion Williamson
Who would have thought? Zion Williamson is already plagued with injuries. Ok, we’re being sarcastic, but even with a career riddled with injury, Williamson has had steady offerings in his signature sneaker line. Outside of his signature sneaker, his retro Air Jordan releases, including the Alternate Voodoo that sold out earlier this week, have been a hit among sneakerheads. Now onto his fourth performance model, the Jordan Zion 4, the low-top sneaker is arguably his best. Tech specs include a full-length Cushlon 3.0 drop-in midsole that stacks on top of the full-length parabolic Air Zoom Strobel unit and a grippy traction pattern on the outsole.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
