Kyle Kuzma Takes Shot at Nike for Glut of NBA Alternate Jerseys

The Wizards standout says teams are losing their identity with so many different looks.

Each NBA season, the league floods the market with alternate jerseys, hoping to capitalize on fans’ nostalgia for a team’s old look or a successful era of yesteryear. In recent seasons, NBA teams have broken out of regular color schemes and designs with “City Edition“ jerseys from Nike that often feature bold creativity. 

However, Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma thinks it’s all a bit too much. Teams have so many alternate jerseys now that players seem to be sporting a different look in nearly every game. 

Responding to a post on X (formerly Twitter) showing the Clippers’ City Edition jerseys for the 2023-24 season, Kuzma declared that something is getting lost with the constant variations in uniforms. 

“Nike is ruining the nostalgia of jerseys,” wrote Kuzma. “Every year, it’s a new jersey and what gets lost is brand identity.” 

Nike is ruining the nostalgia of jerseys, every year it’s a new jersey and what gets lost is brand identity. https://t.co/oVq40s3a5t

— kuz (@kylekuzma) October 16, 2023

Kuzma has a point when looking at the history of the NBA. Teams such as the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks and Bulls have classic looks that have spanned multiple eras and represent an identity. It means something that Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant wore essentially the same uniforms during different championship eras.

Of course, what Kuzma appears to be missing is that alternate jerseys are all about marketing and apparel purchases. With the City Edition uniforms, there’s a new set every year. Some look better than others. A few are downright unappealing in an attempt to keep up with current trends. 

Maybe that’s where Kuzma is going with this. Several of these looks are disposable. Few will have a lasting impact.

But that likely won’t keep Nike and the NBA from continuing to roll out new looks.