The Best-Dressed Teams in the NBA Right Now

Image via Complex Original

Notable Players: Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, and Royce O'Neale

Utah may not be the first state you think of when it comes to style (sorry to any Utes reading this). But its NBA franchise is doing its best to bring that element to Vivint Smart Home Arena on game nights. Acquiring Jordan Clarkson, a man who had a tendency to rock babushkas and tote Louis Vuitton bags during his time in Cleveland before being traded last year, is a great addition. But veteran point guard Mike Conley also needs to be commended with fits that have ranged from full Dior x Air Jordan sets (he managed to pull off the matchy matchy) to Kids See Ghosts merch. He has a tendency to keep things cozy without just simply rocking his team-issued sweatsuit to the game like some guys prefer to do. Royce O'Neale is another guy who likes to mix it up with a rotation that includes everything from Gucci to Billionaire Boys Club. The team’s biggest stars, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, can also break out some solid outfits from time to time, like a classic suit and turtleneck combo or just a sweatsuit to keep things super comfortable. It’s easy to sleep on the Jazz. They don’t always get the same exposure as other big market teams. But keep an eye on them. 

Notable Players: D'Angelo Russell, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Naz Reid

Possibly the victim of a smaller market, the Minnesota Timberwolves might not have as many eyes on them like a team in LA or New York City does. That doesn’t mean the T’Wolves aren’t showing up in some fire fits routinely, though. D’Angelo Russell is arguably the best-dressed player on the team, able to pull off streetwear looks like work jackets with straight legged khakis, brown suits with penny loafers, or Margiela sweatsuits with the same level of ease. Superstar Karl-Anthony Towns usually keeps it in the streetwear realm with his fits—Kanye West merch, coaches jackets, flannels layered with hoodies, and Off-White x Nike sneakers are to be expected. Sophomore forward Naz Reid shouldn’t be slept on, either. The 21-year old New Jersey native keeps a solid collection of sneakers in rotation that includes everything from Doernbecher Air Jordan 4s to “Waverunner” Yeezy 700s. He mixes the valuable kicks with Rhude, Supreme, and more. The Timberwolves might not be on prime time every week like some other squads. But don’t sleep. These guys are getting fits off even during icy Minnesota winters.

Notable Players: Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, and Tristan Thompson

One of the most historic franchises in sports is also currently one of the best-dressed teams in the NBA. Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum is among the team’s best. His deal with Jordan Brand keeps him laced in all of the best Air Jordans year-round. For the clothes, he’s developed a tendency to support up-and-coming brands like Do Not Disturb, Believe in Yourself, or rock vintage T-shirts from Tommy McBuckets. Entering his second year in Boston, point guard Kemba Walker also helps out the team in the style department with a rotation of colorful trenchcoats, retro Air Jordans, and the occasional Olivier Rogers hoodie or Kith varsity jacket. He’s also a big fan of Chaz Jordan’s Ih Nom Uh Nit. One of the newest members of the Celtics is a big upgrade to their locker room style though: former Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson. The veteran big man has long been considered among the league’s most elite when it comes to style, and now he is bringing his closet full of Chrome Hearts, Gucci, and Prada to Beantown. 

Notable Players: Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Jae Crowder

Just as it will benefit a promising young roster on the floor, the addition of veteran point guard Chris Paul has also added another stylish player to the Suns’ pregame tunnel. Paul has consistently shown his versatility with his wardrobe, being able to switch effortlessly from more traditional menswear options like trousers and blazers to more casual options like vintage T-shirts and yet-to-be-released Air Jordan retros, thanks to his Jordan Brand deal. Throughout last season, CP3 also used the tunnel to spread an important message: supporting HBCUs around the country, from Florida A&M to Southern. But CP3 isn’t the only one on the Suns known to break out good fits before each game. Devin Booker is always dressed in the latest hyped-up streetwear like OVO x Murakami hoodies or CPFM x Nike hockey jerseys, and he makes sure to pair the pieces with Nike collabs and Air Jordans too. Much like CP3, the addition of veteran Jae Crowder also has its benefits in the pregame tunnel, as he’s known to rock his fair share of luxury labels and streetwear too. And let’s not forget about young stars Cameron Payne and Deandre Ayton. After an impressive run in the Orlando bubble, the Suns’ potential going into the new season isn’t just limited to the on-court product. 

Notable Players: Frank Ntilikina, Julius Randle, and Austin Rivers

The Knicks might not be poised to win many games this year, as has become the norm for the franchise that plays its games in Madison Square Garden. But the young and rebuilding squad does still deserve some recognition for how its players are showing up to the arena every night. While it may take a few more years for its benefits to translate into substantial wins on the court, the Knicks have youth on their side. Nobody is over 30. That means most of the guys are tapped into the latest style trends with Julius Randle and Frank Ntilikina among the team’s best. And it isn’t all about the obvious hyped brands of the moment, either. Ntilikina’s stylist Devon Byrd, also president of Vale, has kept him dressed in a healthy mix that ranges from Alyx and Balenciaga to R13 and Daily Paper. Randle’s wardrobe includes everything from Burberry poplin shirts to graphic T-shirts from Nick Young’s Most Hated. The team also signed Austin Rivers in the offseason, adding a healthy dose of Louis Vuitton to the MSG tunnels. Rookie Obi Toppin has Knicks fans excited—maybe he will provide even more juice to the team’s collection of pregame fits.

Notable Players: Kelly Oubre Jr, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry

Warriors fans have a lot to be excited about. Stephen Curry is returning after a season away rehabbing an injury, which means they will get to watch the legendary shooter drain threes from the logo again. Off the court, the Warriors’ faithful can look forward to the fire fits of Kelly Oubre Jr., who some refer to as Tsunami Papi. One of the best-dressed players in the NBA today, Oubre Jr.’s style is an heir apparent to guys like Russell Westbrook or Nick Young (aka Swaggy P), not afraid to take some risks. Some nights he goes full rockstar with leather pants, a mesh top, and silver accoutrements that most players wouldn’t even consider putting on. The next he could show up in a Chinatown Market hoodie or a tiger-striped cardigan. Whatever it is, it always looks clean. There’s a reason he told the CFDA in 2017, “I love fashion as much as I love basketball.” Curry does his part, too. Not nearly as flashy or streetwear-focused, the two-time MVP does keep it clean cut with tailored suits, chambray shirts, and even the occasional Acne Studios top. Draymond Green is another notable player in the style department. He takes some risks, we’re looking at his tendency to rock suit jackets with shorts, but he can also keep it casual with flannels and jeans or an Essentials sweatsuit when he wants to. 

Notable Players: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert, and Jeff Green

It would be pretty unfortunate if a team stationed in Brooklyn completely lacked any sort of style. Thankfully, that isn’t a reality we have to deal with. The Nets are currently home to two of the league’s biggest superstars and Nike signature athletes, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, so you always expect the Swoosh to keep them laced in the newest drops from the brand. But they both maintain a good sense of style regardless, keeping brands like Fear of God, Noah, and Online Ceramics in the mix. Guys like Jeff Green and Caris LeVert are also worth keeping an eye on coming through the tunnel, with each having a tendency to rock clean pieces from more hyped-up brands like Amiri or Human Made along with the best sneaker collabs from Travis Scott, Union, and beyond. LeVert has been developing a tendency to rep smaller local brands from the tri-state lately, Public Villa and Vale among them. He’s also among the handful of Nets players staying stocked with fresh vintage T-shirts, thanks to New Jersey-based seller Tommy McBuckets. With KD and Kyrie back at full strength, many basketball fans expect the team to make a deep run in the playoffs this year. By the end of the year, will they be competing for the title of the league’s best-dressed unit, too? Only time will tell. 

Notable Players: James Harden, P.J. Tucker, and DeMarcus Cousins

When you have the NBA’s resident sneaker king suiting up for your squad, you’re going to get recognized. While P.J. Tucker had become known for his tendency to pull out the rarest kicks imaginable on a nightly basis, his fits are just as noteworthy. One night he could show up in a neon green Prada jacket. The next could be a full Supreme set covered in cherries with some “Red October'' Air Yeezy 2s. James Harden (for now anyway) is another reason the Rockets deserve to be mentioned among the NBA’s best right now. Stylist Kesha McLeod, who also styles Tucker, makes sure the former MVP mixes it up with a wide array of fits that can range from Essentials sweatsuits to a finely tailored suit to his own line of Y-3 apparel. Adding veteran center DeMarcus Cousins to the locker room will also guarantee that the Rockets keep up their current reputation as one of the league’s most stylish teams. Hopefully Harden doesn’t end up getting traded. Losing Russell Westbrook and Harden, two of the league’s best-dressed, is a big loss to make up for. 

Notable Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Bazley, and Hamidou Diallo

The Oklahoma City Thunder may have lost veteran point guard Chris Paul, a great dresser in his own right, but the Thunder easily have the most stylish group of young players in the game. It all starts with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the best-dressed players in the league today. The 22-year-old dresses exactly how you would expect someone his age to, with a perfect balance of rare sneakers, hyped-up products from brands like Chrome Hearts and Supreme, and a healthy dose of support for smaller brands like C’est Bon and New Jersey’s Vale. There’s a reason he recently got tapped by Virgil Abloh to appear in the official campaign for the Louis Vuitton x NBA collection. And then there’s Darius Bazley. His choices might be a bit out there sometimes (a vest with nothing under it and shiny pants with one leg hiked up being the best example) but it’s those types of choices that made Russell Westbrook an NBA style icon in OKC before. The looks aren’t for everybody, but sometimes, you have to respect the risk. Rounding out the lineup are veterans like Trevor Ariza and George Hill, as well as second year players like Hamidou Diallo that each rock their share of staple pieces like bomber jackets, distressed denim, and limited kicks. Across the board, the Thunder are about as consistent as you can get. Their youth is important. It shows just how much the younger guys value the pregame fit. 

Notable Players: LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, and Dennis Schröder

The Lakers aren’t just the best team on the court, the defending NBA champions also bring some of the best fits to the pregame tunnel every single night as well. Again, similar to the game itself, the best of the bunch is LeBron James. Not only is it a guarantee that King James will always be laced in the latest Nike collabs, but he also makes sure to keep a solid mix of streetwear and luxury items in his wardrobe. Some nights he’ll arrive at Staples Center in a limited Just Don cap and Better Gift Shop hoodie. Other nights, he rocks a RRL button-up, John Elliott leather jacket, or an Hermès cap. But it isn’t just LeBron. Kyle Kuzma also consistently mixes pieces like Fear of God trousers with the best Rhude items from his good friend Rhuigi Villaseñor. Acquiring point guard Dennis Schröder, and his brightly colored wardrobe this offseason, added yet another great dresser to the locker room, too. And we still haven’t mentioned Anthony Davis or Jared Dudley’s consistent rotation of rare sneakers yet. It’s no surprise the Lakers are defending champs. Look good, play good, right?