It’s official – Ja Morant and Jayson Tatum are the newest NBA players with signature shoes. It’s an honor that only the best players receive, but I can’t think of two players more deserving than Morant and Tatum. After all, they’re two of the most exciting players in the game right now.
Morant’s signature shoe – in partnership with Nike – is reportedly dropping in Summer 2023. It’ll be called the ‘Nike Ja1’ and is set to be launched in three colorways – ‘Phantom,’ ‘Cobalt Bliss,’ and ‘Game Royal.’ While we don’t have any images or specs of the shoe, we know it’ll be fire.
Tatum’s signature shoe – in partnership with Jordan Brand – is reportedly dropping in Summer 2023 and will be called the ‘Jordan Tatum 1,’ though the name may change. Early reports indicate three colorways – ‘Zoo,’ ‘St. Louis,’ and ‘Pink Lemonade.’ We can’t wait to learn more!
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Other Notable NBA Players With Signature Shoes
Signature shoes aren’t given to anybody. You not only have to ball out on the court, but you need a massive following behind you – after all, companies want the shoe to sell. When you look at the NBA today, Ja Morant and Jayson Tatum are ballin’ both on and off the court.
The real question is how their signature shoe will rank among some of the other NBA players with signature shoes. Just think back to Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Penny Hardaway, and Kevin Garnett – they had some of the best signature shoes of all-time.
Between Nike, Adidas, Jordan Brand, Under Armour, Li-Ning, Anta, and Puma, there are currently 20 famous NBA players with signature shoes. Some of them might be in your closet already, but some of them might be new to you. Don’t worry, we’re going to find out together!
20. Gordon Hayward (Anta)
There were reports of Gordon Hayward potentially signing with New Balance, but he eventually decided to sign with Anta – a Chinese brand with limited distribution to the US. He announced the deal in 2018 and debuted his first signature shoe, the GH1, during the 2019-20 season.
Hayward is entering his 13th season in the league and third season with the Charlotte Hornets. In 734 career games, he is averaging 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 31.1 minutes per game. He was named an All-Star once, during the 2016-17 season.
19. Klay Thompson (Anta)
Klay Thompson is the other player to sign with Anta – a 10-year deal worth about $8 million per year. In fact, one of the major reasons he signed with Anta was because other brands weren’t offering nearly as much. His newest sneaker, the KT7, is nice, but it’s extremely hard to get.
Thompson is entering his 10th season in the league – all with the Golden State Warriors. In 647 games, he’s averaging 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 32.9 minutes per game. He’s a five-time All-Star and four-time champion, despite missing two years.
18. LaMelo Ball (Puma)
LaMelo Ball became the youngest player to ever have a signature shoe, doing so in 2017 with Big Baller Brand – his father’s company. Several years later, he signed a deal with Puma and is currently the only NBA player to have a signature shoe with the company – the Puma MB.01.
Ball is entering his third season in the league – all with the Charlotte Hornets. In 126 career games, he’s averaging 18.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 30.9 minutes per game. He was the Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 and was an All-Star last season.
17. CJ McCollum (Li-Ning)
CJ McCollum has always been a fan of Nike, but he changed course when they failed to match the multi-year deal that Li-Ning – a Chinese brand – offered him. He originally wore their Speed, Sonic, and YuShuai lines, but released his first signature shoe – the Li-Ning CJ 1 – in 2021.
McCollum is entering his 10th season in the league and first full season with the New Orleans Pelicans. In 590 career games, he’s averaging 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 31.6 minutes per game. He was named the Most Improved Player in 2015-16.
16. Joel Embiid (Under Armour)
Early in his career, Joel Embiid was signed to Adidas, but never received a signature shoe. He then signed a deal with Under Armour in 2018 and eventually received his first signature shoe in 2020 – called the Under Armour Embiid 1. We’re still waiting on his next shoe release, though.
Embiid is entering his seventh season in the league – all with the Philadelphia 76ers. In 328 career games, he’s averaging 26.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 31.2 minutes per game. He’s a five-time All-Star and led the league in scoring last season.
15. Stephen Curry (Under Armour)
Stephen Curry infamously declined to sign with Nike when they pronounced his first name wrong during their pitch. He went on to sign with Under Armour, who didn’t have a lot of traction in the NBA at that point. That, of course, changed with Curry’s first signature shoe in 2015.
Curry is entering his 14th season in the league – all with the Golden State Warriors. In 826 career games, he’s averaging 24.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 34.3 minutes per game. He’s an eight-time All-Star, four-time champ, and two-time MVP.
14. Zion Williamson (Jordan Brand)
Shortly after going No. 1 overall in the 2019 NBA draft, Zion Williamson signed a $70 million, multi-year deal with Jordan Brand. After two years of showcasing the Air Jordan 34 and 35, he got his first signature shoe – Jordan Zion 1 – in 2021. There are a lot of colorways available.
Williamson is entering his third season in the league – all with the New Orleans Pelicans – after missing all of last season to an injured foot. In just 85 career games played, he’s averaging 25.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 assists in 31.7 minutes per game.
13. Chris Paul (Jordan Brand)
Chris Paul is no stranger to having a signature shoe. His first shoe with Jordan Brand, the Jordan CP3.I, was released way back in 2008. Since then, the two sides have teamed up on 11 more shoes and his collection is worn by players like Reggie Bullock and Jabari Parker.
Paul is entering his 18th season in the league and third season with the Phoenix Suns. In 1,155 career games, he’s averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks in 34.5 minutes per game. He has led the league in assists five times and in steals six times.
12. Russell Westbrook (Jordan Brand)
Russell Westbrook signed a five-year deal with Jordan Brand in 2013 as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He eventually signed a contract extension and received his first signature shoe in 2018 – the Why Not? ZER0.1. He has added three more shoes since then.
Westbrook is entering his 15th season in the league and second season with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1,021 career games, he’s averaging 22.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 34.7 minutes per game. He’s a nine-time All-Star and was MVP in 2016-17.
11. Luka Doncic (Jordan Brand)
Luka Doncic had been a sneaker free agent up until December 26, 2019 – which is when Jordan Brand snagged him with a multi-year contract. His first ever signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 1, was released earlier this year and everyone has been raving about it ever since.
Doncic is entering his fifth season in the league – all with the Dallas Mavericks. In 264 career games, he’s averaging 26.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 33.8 minutes per game. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 and is a three-time All-Star.
10. Derrick Rose (Adidas)
When Derrick Rose was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2008, Adidas made an aggressive move to sign him to a multi-year deal. His first signature shoe, the adiZero Rose 1, was released two years later and they have teamed up on at least 10 signature shoes since.
Rose is entering his 14th season in the league and second full season with the New York Knicks. In 672 career games, he’s averaging 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. He’s a three-time All-Star, and former Rookie of the Year and MVP.
9. Donovan Mitchell (Adidas)
Shortly after going No. 13 overall to the Utah Jazz, Donovan Mitchell signed a multi-year deal with Adidas – joining an already star-studded lineup. His first signature shoe, the D.O.N. Issue 1, was released in 2019 and the partnership has produced two more signature shoes since.
Mitchell is entering his sixth season in the league and first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 345 career games, he’s averaging 23.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 33.7 minutes per game. He has been named an All-Star the past three seasons.
8. James Harden (Adidas)
James Harden has always been a fan of the Adidas brand, dating back to his college days at Arizona State. He signed a 13-year, $200 million contract with the brand in 2015 and his first signature shoe – Harden Vol. 1 – was released in 2016. They’ve released five shoes since.
Harden is entering his 14th season in the league and first full season with the Philadelphia 76ers. In 942 career games, he’s averaging 24.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He’s a 10-time All-Star, three-time scoring champ, and one-time MVP.
7. Damian Lillard (Adidas)
One year before Adidas signed Harden to that massive deal, they signed Damian Lillard to a 10-year, $100 million contract. His first signature shoe – the D Lillard 1 – was released in 2015 and he has released seven signature shoes since. His most recent, Dame 8, released in 2021.
Lillard is entering his 11th season in the league – all with the Portland Trail Blazers. In 711 career games, he’s averaging 24.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 36.3 minutes per game. He’s a six-time All-Star and was Rookie of the Year in 2012-13.
6. Trae Young (Adidas)
Trae Young signed a multi-year deal with Adidas shortly before the 2018 NBA Draft – where he was selected fifth overall. In 2020, he became the face of the N3XT L3V3Ls, but finally received his first signature shoe – Adidas Trae Young – in 2021. The shoe debuted during his playoff run.
Young is entering his fifth season in the NBA – all with the Atlanta Hawks. In 280 career games, he’s averaging 25.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 33.6 minutes per game. He’s a two-time All-Star and one of the most exciting young players in the league.
5. Paul George (Nike)
Paul George has been dishing out signature shoes since 2016. His first shoe was called the PG 1 and was one of the most popular shoes in NBA circles at the time. He has since released the PG 2, PG 2.5, PG 3, PG 4, and PG 5. They’re not as popular as they once were, but still quality.
George is entering his 13th season in the league and fourth season with the Los Angeles Clippers. In 737 games, he’s averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. He’s a seven-time All-Star and former Most Improved Player in 2012-13.
4. Kyrie Irving (Nike)
Kyrie Irving received his first signature shoe with Nike in 2014 – becoming the first Nike athlete to do so since Kevin Durant and the 20th to do so overall. The two sides have partnered together ever since, but it was recently announced that the partnership will likely end in 2023.
Irving is entering his 12th season in the NBA and fourth with the Brooklyn Nets. In 611 games, he’s averaging 23.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 34.0 minutes per game. He’s a seven-time All-Star, one-time champion, and former Rookie of the Year.
3. Kevin Durant (Nike)
It didn’t take long for Kevin Durant to sign his initial $60 million contract with Nike, doing so shortly after being selected No. 2 by the Seattle Supersonics in 2007. He released his first signature shoe during his second season in the league and has released 14 ever since.
Durant is entering his 15th season in the league and third season with the Brooklyn Nets. In 939 career games, he’s averaging 27.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He’s a 12-time All-Star, two-time champ, four-time scoring champ, and former MVP.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Nike)
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a Nike athlete since 2013 and signed a contract extension in 2017. He favored Kobe Bryant’s collection during games, up until his first signature shoe – the Nike Zoom Freak 1 – was released in 2019. He has since released two more shoes.
Antetokounmpo is entering his 10th season in the league – all with the Milwaukee Bucks. In 656 career games, he’s averaging 21.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 32.6 minutes per game. He’s a two-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and a champion.
1. LeBron James (Nike)
LeBron James is the king of many things, including signature shoes. He signed a $90 million deal with Nike in 2003 and has been with the brand ever since. He has released a total of 19 signature shoes over the course of his career and his contract is reportedly worth over $1 billion.
James is entering his 20th season in the league and fifth season with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1,366 career games, he’s averaging 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. He’s a four-time champion, four-time MVP, and 18-time All-Star.
Which NBA Players Deserve a Signature Shoe?
As you can see, only the best of the best get signature shoes from the top brands. Of course, the list above doesn’t include Andrew Wiggins, Aaron Gordon, Langston Galloway, and Spencer Dinwiddie – all of which are NBA players with signature shoes with other companies.
There are also a handful of players currently in line for a signature shoe. For example, Devin Booker, Zach LaVine, Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokic, and Bradley Beal. These players are some of the best in the game and while they all have endorsements, none of them have a shoe.
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Let’s hope they don’t end up like John Starks, Joe Dumars, Larry Bird, Steve Nash, John Stockton, and Tim Duncan – they went their entire career without ever receiving a signature shoe. Again, that speaks to how much of an honor it is for NBA players with signature shoes.
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