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Kevin Durant's 18th Nike Signature Shoe Revealed in New Photos amid NBA Trade Rumors

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 5, 2025

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 3:  Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns smiles during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 3, 2025 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images

There is significant news breaking about Kevin Durant ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

And it's not that the Phoenix Suns are moving him.

Nike provided a first look at the future Hall of Famer's 18th signature shoe, and it features a colorway with plenty of orange mixed in with the laces, bottom of the sneaker and logo:

B/R Kicks @brkicks

A FIRST LOOK at <a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KDTrey5</a>'s 18th signature sneaker with Nike πŸ‘<br><br>Early thoughts on these? <a href="https://t.co/JaelxidbhH">pic.twitter.com/JaelxidbhH</a>

In 2023, Durant agreed to a lifetime deal with Nike.

That made him the third player in league history to do so with the first two being arguably the top two basketball players to ever take the court in Michael Jordan and LeBron James. He initially signed with the company during his rookie season in 2007 when he was a member of the Seattle SuperSonics.

"When I first signed with Nike, I couldn't have dreamed of how far we'd go in this partnership," Durant said at the time when he agreed to the lifetime deal, per Boardroom. "We've done amazing work creatively and philanthropically. We've traveled the world together and built a business that will now last forever. I'm excited for the future and honored to be in rare company with this deal."

Yet his relationship with Nike was under the spotlight this past summer when he wasn't included in their "Winning Isn't for Everyone" advertisement it launched ahead of the 2024 Olympics. He took to social media and asked "am I a bad person?" and appeared to call Nike out.

However, Nike answered with a billboard and commercial after he broke Lisa Leslie's all-time scoring record in United States Olympic basketball history:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

After KD set the all-time Team USA scoring record, Nike answered him 🐐<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/richkleiman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@richkleiman</a>) <a href="https://t.co/RRBTPLYZfG">pic.twitter.com/RRBTPLYZfG</a>

Complex Sneakers @ComplexSneakers

Nike made KD a commercial πŸ‘€ <a href="https://t.co/7MjGwo57ZY">pic.twitter.com/7MjGwo57ZY</a>

Durant's ongoing partnership has now landed him his 18th signature shoe as he continues to play at a high level at 36 years old.