Cade Cunningham has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier young stars.Β Now, he’s been rewarded with a new extension with Nikeβand more.
Cunningham is set to re-sign with Nike on a six-year deal, his representatives at Excel Sports Management told ESPN. Included in the deal will be the launch of his own signature shoe, expected to debut in 2026-2027.
With that, he’ll join LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker, and Ja Morant as the sixth active player to secure a signature shoe with Nike. Other stars such as LaMelo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Luka DonΔiΔ, and Anthony Edwards are just a small sample of stars who have earned their own signature shoe.
While Nike remains the most popular among NBA and WNBA athletes, NBA players have also signed deals with Jordan, Puma, Under Armour, New Balance, ANTA, Li-Ning, Peak, and Converse. Stephen Curry is the latest to part ways with Under Armour and is currently a sneaker free agent.
Cunningham previously signed a deal with Nike before he was drafted No.1 overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2021. The Oklahoma standout originally signed a multi-year shoe and apparel deal in a partnership with the brand.Β In early 2025, the Texas native unveiled his signature logo, which frequently appears on worn Nike GT Cut 3s.
EXCLUSIVE: Cade Cunningham is next up for his own Nike sneakerβcurrently in early build and planned for Spring 2027. pic.twitter.com/7OWz27Gmyt
β Boardroom (@boardroom) November 17, 2025
Cunningham Talks Signature Shoe in Boardroom Exclusive with Kevin Durant
Monday morning, Cunningham confirmed the news in an exclusive Boardroom Cover Story interview with Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant. Indeed, the news traces back to a conversation between the two NBA stars over the summer. Having signed an original deal with Nike in 2009, Durant has released 18 signature shoes with Nike.
He calls the process “fun” and encourages Cunningham to take an active role in the design process. As his career has evolved, KD appreciates the entire process of having a shoe, from the ground up to advertising.
“We was just talking about the Nike game and what it means, and like how important that is to us,” said Durant in a Boardroom exclusive. “For you to get your own shoe, for you to have a legacy, do you know how big that is, bruh? A signature athlete at Nike? I’m happy for you, brother.”
In the interview, Cunningham stated the news hadn’t fully sunk in yet.
“I haven’t really like grasped it yet, you know what I’m saying? I don’t got no words about it, bro…it’s crazy, it’s a dream come true.”
Rising Stardom in the NBA
At just 24 years old, Cunningham is one of the fastest-rising stars in the NBA. Now in his fifth year with the Pistons, the guard is coming off a career year in which he earned first-time All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honors. The NBA’s assist leader behind Nikola JokiΔ, he’s putting up a career-best 27.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 9.9 assists. In 11 games, he’s nearly averaging a double-double nightly.
Known for his scoring ability and remarkable playmaking ability, perhaps his greatest career accomplishment has been at the helm of the Pistons’ transformation. A franchise once defined by three championships had dwindled into the shadows for years.
Player of the Week Cade Cunningham ATTEMPTED 45 SHOTS in the win tonight!
46 Points
14/45 Shooting
16/18 Free Throws
2/11 Threes
12 Rebounds
11 Assists
5 Steals
2 Blocks
W pic.twitter.com/rzZ7OGe2zuβ Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 11, 2025
Prior to drafting Cunningham, the Pistons were fresh off a 20-win season. Cunningham was, in fact, a part of the 2023-2024 team that found themselves on the wrong side of history. Finishing with a franchise-worst 14-68 record, the Pistons set an NBA single-season record after losing 28 consecutive games. It was that badβsportsbooks were even offering bettors team props that included odds on Detroit’s next win.
From Early Struggles to Title Contenders
Earning just 54 wins with the franchise in his first three seasons, Cunningham led the Pistons to a 44-38 record last year, which was adequate for fifth in the Eastern Conference. Leading the team to its first playoff appearance since the 2018-2019 season, the Pistons were eventually knocked out by Eastern Conference rival New York Knicks in the first round, 4-2.
While they failed to advance beyond the first round, five of the matchups against New York were decided by six points or less.
Building on that momentum, Cunningham and the Pistons are currently the No.1 ranked team in the Eastern Conference with an 11-2 record. Riding a nine-game win streak, the tides have turned for Detroit. Trailing only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA’s best record, the Pistons boast one of the best defensive rosters in the league.
Named Naismith High School Player of the Year in 2020, he led Montverde Academy to a perfect 25-0 record his senior year. A five-star recruit out of Arlington, Texas, losing wasn’t in his DNAβuntil he entered the pros. Not only does a signature shoe cement his legacy, but it also shows that patience is a virtue.
“Over the last two yearβs of his high school career, Cade lost a total of three games and his senior year the team went 25-0 and won each game by an average of 38 points,β said Ballislifeβs Ronnie Flores, who covered Cade extensively in high school. “Even in his lone season at Oklahoma St., the team was competitive and finished No. 11 in the final AP poll at 21-9. In the pros, Cade lost 54 games in his first three seasons, including a 28-game losing streak during the 2023-24 season. That has to be tough mentally when you come from a situation where you are used to winning. I imagine itβs the same adjustment Cooper Flagg is going through currently with the Dallas Mavericks.
βCade always had the talent and Nike obviously believed in him through the tough times in Detroit. To see the turnaround, it has to be pretty satisfying for him personally and for Pistons fans. Heβs a difference maker as he showed back then. Nobody wants to get used to losing, but you have to have the fortitude to push through and stay focused and not every young talented player does. Cade obviously has that ability.”
The Pistons next host the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. EST.
Follow Sara Jane Gamelli on X: @SaraJGamelli.
