The Best Basketball Sneakers to Buy Right Now

Summer is officially in full force, and it’s the season to kick it with friends and family at the barbeque, sip lemonade at the beach, and take part in the many festivities that come with the warmer weather. Of course, one of the go-to activities during these months is a pickup game on outdoor courts or at indoor gyms (for that much-needed AC). Whenever the time comes to play ball, owning a good pair of basketball shoes is vital, unless you want to roll your ankle in slides. But what sneakers would fit the bill for you this summer? 

For starters, think about what you look for in sneakers. Technology? Cushioning? Support? Price point? Branding? Accessibility? If any of these terms speak to you while looking for a new pair, check out this list of the 10 best basketball sneakers to buy right now for guidance.

Puma has been back in the basketball sphere for a few years now, releasing models like J. Cole’s first signature sneaker, the RS-Dreamer 1. But it seems like the brand’s latest offering with LaMelo Ball, the Puma MB.01, has become its most prominent basketball sneaker yet. The MB.01 delivers in performance and aesthetics, with colorways such as its Rick and Morty collab and “Galaxy” colorway. In 2022, we also have the MB.01 Low, which doesn’t differ much from the original form, the main difference being that it has a slightly lower cut, allowing for better ankle movement. It retains the same sturdy traction pattern, Nitro Foam cushioning, breathable textile upper, and design details like the wings at the ankle area. You cannot go wrong with the lows for the summer, and the casual appeal these shoes have is a bonus.

Reaching 15 models in a signature Nike line is a milestone few athletes have achieved, like MJ and LeBron. Joining this club is Kevin Durant with the Nike KD 15. The 15 returns to a lower cut seen on fan favorites such as the KD 4, 6, and 7, and has been updated with newer tech. These are equipped with a full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit and a Cushlon foam midsole for enhanced cushioning while playing. The upper is composed of textile materials with a midfoot cage as a containment system reminiscent of early Nike Basketball models like the Air Jet Flight. With Durant making the bold claim that “the 15 is the best in the line,” per his recent The ETCs with Kevin Durant episode, it’d be worth giving this shoe a try before delivering your rant on why the KD 4 is the superior shoe.

Michael Jordan’s 36th signature sneaker shows that his line isn’t slowing down on providing the latest innovations that Nike and Jordan Brand have to offer. These sneakers are built with a jacquard leno-weave lightweight upper, with subtle nods to the original Air Jordan 6 from 1991, like the overlay patch over the laces. A full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit is featured inside the midsole, like the KD 15, and is enhanced with a Zoom Air Unit that protrudes in the forefoot. Additionally, the shoe uses Eclipse Plate in the midfoot for added support, a recurring detail seen on the Air Jordan 34 and 35, plus tried-and-true herringbone traction on the outsole.