Cade Cunningham has established himself as one of many NBA’s premier younger stars. Now, he’s been rewarded with a brand new extension with Nike—and extra.
Cunningham is about to re-sign with Nike on a six-year deal, his representatives at Excel Sports activities Administration informed ESPN. Included within the deal would be the launch of his personal signature shoe, anticipated to debut in 2026-2027.
With that, he’ll be a part of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker, and Ja Morant because the sixth lively participant to safe a signature shoe with Nike. Different stars similar to LaMelo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, and Anthony Edwards are only a small pattern of stars who’ve earned their very own signature shoe.
Whereas Nike stays the preferred amongst NBA and WNBA athletes, NBA gamers have additionally signed offers with Jordan, Puma, Below Armour, New Stability, ANTA, Li-Ning, Peak, and Converse. Stephen Curry is the newest to half methods with Below Armour and is at present a sneaker free agent.
Cunningham beforehand signed a cope with Nike earlier than he was drafted No.1 total by the Detroit Pistons in 2021. The Oklahoma standout initially signed a multi-year shoe and attire deal in a partnership with the model. In early 2025, the Texas native unveiled his signature brand, which often seems on worn Nike GT Lower 3s.
EXCLUSIVE: Cade Cunningham is subsequent up for his personal Nike sneaker—at present in early construct and deliberate for Spring 2027. pic.twitter.com/7OWz27Gmyt
— Boardroom (@boardroom) November 17, 2025
Cunningham Talks Signature Shoe in Boardroom Unique with Kevin Durant
Monday morning, Cunningham confirmed the information in an unique Boardroom Cowl Story interview with Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant. Certainly, the information traces again to a dialog between the 2 NBA stars over the summer time. Having signed an authentic cope with Nike in 2009, Durant has launched 18 signature sneakers with Nike.
He calls the method “enjoyable” and encourages Cunningham to take an lively function within the design course of. As his profession has developed, KD appreciates the complete course of of getting a shoe, from the bottom as much as promoting.
“We was simply speaking concerning the Nike recreation and what it means, and like how necessary that’s to us,” mentioned Durant in a Boardroom unique. “So that you can get your personal shoe, so that you can have a legacy, have you learnt how huge that’s, bruh? A signature athlete at Nike? I’m comfortable for you, brother.”
Within the interview, Cunningham said the information hadn’t totally sunk in but.
“I haven’t actually like grasped it but, you already know what I’m saying? I don’t obtained no phrases about it, bro…it’s loopy, it’s a dream come true.”
Rising Stardom within the NBA
At simply 24 years outdated, Cunningham is likely one of the fastest-rising stars within the NBA. Now in his fifth 12 months with the Pistons, the guard is coming off a profession 12 months wherein he earned first-time All-Star and All-NBA Third Crew honors. The NBA’s help chief behind Nikola Jokić, he’s placing up a career-best 27.5 factors, 5.4 rebounds, and 9.9 assists. In 11 video games, he’s practically averaging a double-double nightly.
Recognized for his scoring capability and noteworthy playmaking capability, maybe his best profession accomplishment has been on the helm of the Pistons’ transformation. A franchise as soon as outlined by three championships had dwindled into the shadows for years.
Participant of the Week Cade Cunningham ATTEMPTED 45 SHOTS within the win tonight!
46 Points14/45 Shooting16/18 Free Throws2/11 Threes12 Rebounds11 Assists5 Steals2 BlocksW pic.twitter.com/rzZ7OGe2zu
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 11, 2025
Previous to drafting Cunningham, the Pistons had been recent off a 20-win season. Cunningham was, in truth, part of the 2023-2024 group that discovered themselves on the flawed facet of historical past. Ending with a franchise-worst 14-68 document, the Pistons set an NBA single-season document after dropping 28 consecutive video games. It was that dangerous—sportsbooks had been even providing bettors group props that included odds on Detroit’s subsequent win.
From Early Struggles to Title Contenders
Incomes simply 54 wins with the franchise in his first three seasons, Cunningham led the Pistons to a 44-38 document final 12 months, which was sufficient for fifth within the Japanese Convention. Main the group to its first playoff look because the 2018-2019 season, the Pistons had been ultimately knocked out by Japanese Convention rival New York Knicks within the first spherical, 4-2.
Whereas they did not advance past the primary spherical, 5 of the matchups in opposition to New York had been determined by six factors or much less.
Constructing on that momentum, Cunningham and the Pistons are at present the No.1 ranked group within the Japanese Convention with an 11-2 document. Driving a nine-game win streak, the tides have turned for Detroit. Trailing solely the defending champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder for the NBA’s greatest document, the Pistons boast top-of-the-line defensive rosters within the league.
Named Naismith Excessive College Participant of the 12 months in 2020, he led Montverde Academy to an ideal 25-0 document his senior 12 months. A five-star recruit out of Arlington, Texas, dropping wasn’t in his DNA—till he entered the professionals. Not solely does a signature shoe cement his legacy, however it additionally exhibits that persistence is a advantage.
“During the last two 12 months’s of his highschool profession, Cade misplaced a complete of three video games and his senior 12 months the group went 25-0 and received every recreation by a mean of 38 factors,” mentioned Ballislife’s Ronnie Flores, who lined Cade extensively in highschool. “Even in his lone season at Oklahoma St., the group was aggressive and completed No. 11 within the last AP ballot at 21-9. Within the execs, Cade misplaced 192 video games in his first three seasons, together with a 28-game dropping streak throughout the 2023-24 season. That needs to be robust mentally while you come from a state of affairs the place you might be used to profitable. I think about it’s the identical adjustment Cooper Flagg goes by way of at present with the Dallas Mavericks.
“Cade all the time had the expertise and Nike clearly believed in him by way of the robust instances in Detroit. To see the turnaround, it needs to be fairly satisfying for him personally and for Pistons followers. He’s a distinction maker as he confirmed again then. No one desires to get used to dropping, however you must have the fortitude to push by way of and keep centered and never each younger gifted participant does. Cade clearly has that capability.”
The Pistons subsequent host the Indiana Pacers on Monday evening, with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. EST.
Comply with Sara Jane Gamelli on X: @SaraJGamelli.
