Ranking the 10 Best Sneakers of the NBA Regular Season

Listing the ten most important sneakers worn during the 2023-24 NBA regular season.

The Air Jordan sneaker line remains strong in the NBA. / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

After a seven-month marathon, the 2023-24 NBA regular season came to a conclusion on Sunday. With all 30 teams in action, it was the final chance for many players and their respective sneaker brands to show off some heat before the summer.

There was no shortage of spectacular sneakers worn on the court this season. Whether you are a fan of the classics or the newer models, there was something for everyone this year. Unfortunately, that makes narrowing down a list of top sneakers very challenging.

But with the regular season in the rearview mirror and the Play-In Tournaments not starting until tomorrow night, it is the perfect time to take on the daunting task of listing the top ten sneakers worn during the NBA regular season.

10. Nike Book 1

The Nike Book 1. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker.
Why We Love It: The Nike Book 1 was polarizing, controversial, and impossible to ignore.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can buy the Nike Book 1 on the sneaker resale website StockX.

9. Nike LeBron 21

The Nike LeBron 21. / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.
Why We Love It: The Nike LeBron 21 was a step back from its predecessor, but it's fire colorways kept it in the conversation all season long.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can shop James' sneaker catalog on the Nike website.

8. Air Jordan 38

The Air Jordan 38. / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Player: New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram.
Why We Love It: The most important sneaker line in history is closing in on 40 and has never looked better.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can choose from multiple colorways of the Air Jordan 38 on the Nike website.

7. PUMA MB.03

The PUMA MB.03. / John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher.
Why We Love It: Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball missed most of the season again, but even injuries cannot slow down his out-of-this-world sneaker line.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can choose between multiple colorways of Ball's sneakers on the PUMA website.

6. Jordan Luka 2

The Jordan Luka 2. / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic.
Why We Love It: Maybe Doncic's second signature sneaker got a bump because of the handwritten messages to his daughter, or the player-exclusive colorways for Jordan Brand schools, or because of his MVP-caliber play. Either way, when you add it all up, it is an unforgettable sneaker.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can choose from multiple colorways of Doncic's sneakers on the Nike website.

5. Jordan Tatum 2

The Jordan Tatum 2. / Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.
Why We Love It: Just like his play, Tatum's signature sneaker line went up a level this season. The Jordan Tatum 2 was debuted late in the season and made a strong push.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can choose from multiple colorways of Tatum's sneakers on the Nike website.

4. Curry Flow 11

The Curry Flow 11. / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
Why We Love It: Overlook Curry's play or his sneakers and he will put you to sleep. Curry Brand's fire collaborations with the Bruce Lee Foundation and NBA Jam were some of the better highlights of the season.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can shop Curry's sneaker catalog on the Curry Brand website.

3. Nike Kobe 8 Protro

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro. / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Cleveland Cavaliers forward Marcus Morris Sr.
Why We Love It: Nike has produced Kobe Bryant's retro (or Protro) sneakers for years, but his eighth model continues to stand the test of time.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can buy the Nike Kobe 8 Protro on StockX.

2. adidas Harden Vol. 8

The adidas Harden Vol. 8. / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard James Harden.
Why We Love It: Harden's signature sneaker line continues to age like fine wine while maintaining that futuristic aesthetic that only adidas seems capable of capturing.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can buy Harden's sold-out adidas sneakers on StockX.

1. adidas AE 1

The adidas AE 1. / Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards.
Why We Love It: Edwards' reign of terror began with an aggressive marketing campaign in which he and Adidas called out other players' signature sneakers. From there, adidas hooked up Edwards with a never-ending supply of amazing colorways perfect for his countless highlights this season.
How To Buy It: Online shoppers can buy Edwards' sold-out adidas sneakers on StockX.

Further Reading: Interview with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic about his travel habits, secret aliases, and sneakers.