A new NBA season means a new wave of signature releases, and the on-court shoe market is more competitive right now than it’s been in years. Every brand is chasing the same goal — shaving weight, improving lockdown, and squeezing more energy return out of foam — but the way each one gets there says a lot about who the shoe is actually built for.
Picking the right pair isn’t just about grabbing whatever a favorite player is wearing. The demands of a quick guard cutting off a screen are completely different from those of a forward absorbing contact in the paint, and a shoe that’s dialed in for one role can feel sluggish or unstable in the other. Traction that holds up on a dusty gym floor, cushioning that protects joints over a long game without killing court feel, and an upper that locks the foot down through hard cuts — those are the fundamentals that separate a genuinely useful basketball shoe from one that just looks good in a box.
With that in mind, here are seven of the best basketball sneakers for men heading into the 2026-27 season, from Nike’s latest signature drops to standout options from adidas, Converse, and PUMA.
Nike LeBron 24
LeBron James’ 24th signature shoe arrives as the lightest model in the line’s history, and it shows the moment James is in as a player: still explosive, but now clearly designed around efficiency rather than raw bulk. The shoe introduces “Kingknit,” a new scaled, semi-glossy knit upper that replaces the heavier synthetic panels of recent LeBron models, while a slimmer carbon fiber midfoot shank takes over the structural job that the bulkier crown sidewalls used to handle. The silhouette borrows its base shape from the LeBron 23, but everything about it has been trimmed down without giving up the underfoot protection the line is known for.
For a shoe built for a bigger, physical player, that combination matters. The LeBron 24 keeps the plush impact protection that’s made recent LeBron models a favorite among power forwards and centers, but the reduced weight and more flexible upper make it easier to recommend to wings and combo forwards too. It’s a shoe that should hold up equally well banging in the paint or covering ground on the perimeter, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most versatile releases of the season.
adidas Anthony Edwards 2
Anthony Edwards’ first signature shoe was a genuine breakout hit for adidas Basketball, and the follow-up builds on that foundation rather than reinventing it. The AE 2 keeps the full-length LIGHTBOOST + Lightstrike cushioning setup from the original but sheds the rigid rubberized TPU shell that covered much of the first shoe’s upper, replacing it with exposed textiles and breathable mesh. The result is a shoe that moves more naturally with the foot and feels noticeably more flexible straight out of the box, while keeping the sculpted, aggressive look that’s become the Edwards line’s signature.
On court, the AE 2 leans firm rather than plush, which suits Edwards’ explosive, power-forward-in-a-guard’s-body playing style and translates well to players who want a stable, locked-in ride over a bouncy one. The herringbone traction pattern is carried over with small refinements, and the fit runs true to size for most players, though those with wider or thicker feet may want to size up half a size for extra room in the forefoot. It’s a shoe that avoids the usual sophomore slump and remains one of the strongest value options among current signature basketball shoes.
Buy at adidas UK · Buy at adidas FR · Buy at adidas DE · Buy at adidas ES
Nike KD 19
After several years of knit-heavy, fairly conservative designs, Kevin Durant’s 19th signature shoe marks a real break from the recent KD playbook. The most striking change is visual: a bold, dual-injection TPU “dagger” slices laterally across the midfoot, a nod to Durant’s Slim Reaper persona and a sharp departure from the softer uppers of the KD15 through KD18 era. Underfoot, Nike brings back a full-length Air Zoom Strobel unit — the first time it’s appeared on a KD shoe since the KD15 — paired with Cushlon 3.0 foam, giving the ride noticeably more bounce and impact protection than the last two models in the line.
That extra cushioning comes with trade-offs worth knowing before buying. The KD 19 runs heavier and stiffer through the forefoot than its predecessors, and most players report needing to size up half a size, with wider feet sometimes needing a full size. It isn’t the shoe for speed-first guards chasing a low, minimal ride, but for taller guards, wings, and forwards who score through pull-ups, pivots, and controlled drives, the KD 19’s stable platform and deep cushioning make it one of the more complete scorer’s shoes Nike has released this season.
PUMA All-Pro NITRO 2
PUMA’s non-signature flagship basketball shoe continues to fly a little under the radar compared to the big Nike and adidas releases, but the All-Pro NITRO 2 has quietly built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded performance options on the market. Dual-density NITRO SQD foam handles the cushioning duties, pairing a firmer outer layer for lateral stability with a softer core for impact protection, and the shoe lands right around the category average for weight — light enough to feel quick without sacrificing underfoot support.
The redesigned outsole is where the All-Pro NITRO 2 stands out most: a circular pattern with a pivot point at the heel smooths out multi-directional movement, while a diamond-style tread through the forefoot grips reliably across a range of cutting angles. It’s a shoe built for versatility rather than one specific position, making it a solid fit for players who guard multiple spots on the floor and need a reliable all-arounder rather than a shoe tuned narrowly for speed or size. At a more accessible price point than most signature models, it’s also one of the better value picks in this lineup.
Buy at PUMA UK · Buy at PUMA FR · Buy at PUMA DE · Buy at PUMA ES
Nike Book 2
Devin Booker’s second signature shoe takes a very different approach from the rest of Nike’s basketball lineup, leaning into a low-profile, retro-inspired build rather than the exoskeletal, futuristic look that’s dominated the category in recent years. Booker asked Nike’s design team for a shoe that got him as close to the floor as possible, and the result strips away bulk in favor of a forefoot Air Zoom unit sitting under a Cushlon 3.0 midsole and a plush foam sock liner — a setup that trades a bit of stack height for a noticeably better feel for the court.
That low-to-the-ground sensation is the Book 2’s calling card, and it makes the shoe a strong pick for guards who prioritize responsiveness and quick first steps over maximum cushioning. The molded upper draws inspiration from skateboarding and classic Nike Sportswear silhouettes, giving it real crossover appeal for wearing off the court as well, though it runs snug through the toe box and benefits from a short break-in period. For players who grew up on classic, low-slung basketball silhouettes and want that same feel updated with modern foam, the Book 2 delivers it.
Converse SHAI 001
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s first true signature shoe arrived with the kind of design attention you’d expect from the reigning NBA MVP, who takes a genuinely hands-on approach to his footwear. The SHAI 001 stands out immediately for its construction: a one-piece molded upper wrapped by a zipper shroud that runs over the tongue and lacing system, sitting on a low-top profile that looks sleeker and more minimal than almost anything else in this list. Underneath, CX foam cushioning handles the responsiveness, giving the shoe a lively, connected-to-the-floor feel that suits Gilgeous-Alexander’s shifty, change-of-pace game.
Since Converse operates under the Nike umbrella, the SHAI 001 gets real visibility through SNKRS alongside major Jordan and Nike Basketball releases, and it’s built up a genuine following through standout colorways beyond the original “Butter” launch pair. At a more accessible price than most Nike or adidas signature shoes, it’s an easy recommendation for guards who want a distinctive, low-profile silhouette with real on-court chops rather than a shoe chasing bulk or flashy tech.
Nike GT Cut 4
The GT Cut line has built its reputation on speed, and the fourth generation pushes that identity as far as it’s gone yet. A drop-in ZoomX midsole sits over a full-length Air Zoom Strobel unit, wrapped in a Cushlon carrier that keeps the ride stable without adding noticeable weight. The combination produces some of the bounciest, most protective cushioning in Nike’s current basketball catalog, and the outsole’s traction pattern bites reliably even on courts that pick up a bit of dust — a genuine strength for anyone playing multiple games in a row.
The GT Cut 4 is built specifically around guards and shifty wings who live on quick direction changes rather than physical post play, and its sleek, low-cut exoskeleton upper reflects that focus. It runs on the narrow side, so players with wider feet should size accordingly or consider a different model in the lineup, but for a narrow-to-average-width foot looking for the fastest, most agile ride Nike currently makes, the GT Cut 4’s midsole alone makes it worth trying on.