Kevin Durant once highlighted an important wish from his childhood days by revealing, “I fell in love with wanting to have my own shoe, wanting to have my own brand and that grew for me as I grew as a player.” From wearing a pair of Nike Air Flight School silhouettes during his early days in Seattle to recently rocking a pair of KD 16s, the player has certainly established his presence in the sneakers industry. Nike respects this relationship as well since, alongside Michael Jordan and LeBron James, the Suns player has one of the longest-running signature shoe lines with them. Therefore, they were more than happy to honor the player, and his loved one, by making a heartwarming addition to the latest version of KD’s.

Back in late August, NBA fans got a first look at the ‘Aunt Pearl’ colorway of the KD 17, the model released back in May. The update highlighted the shoe being covered in an all-pink formula, with a Pink Foam placed on the upper area, and the base layer reportedly blending into the TPU exterior. The iconic Nike swoosh carries a darker ‘Beyond Pink’ shade, which is also present on the midsole and the rubber outsole. The heel features an embroidered pattern of pearls, and the back of the right shoe carries the iconic ‘KD’ initials, while the left one has ‘AP’ highlighted.

This is not the first time that Kevin Durant has had the ‘Aunt Pearl’ colorway present on a version of his signature shoe line. According to reports, the player has been incorporating the pattern for over a decade to honor his Aunt Pearl, who passed away in 2000 after succumbing to complications due to breast cancer. KD held a close relationship with his loved one, revealing how the duo would watch movies, joke, and laugh at his grandma’s house in Maryland, etc. She also had the unique ability to reach out to the once-shy Durant during his childhood days. Therefore, keeping her memory alive through his line of sneakers is as good of a tribute as one could make.

Unfortunately, this ‘tribute’ does not come at a cheap price for buyers. According to reports, with the KD 17 ‘Aunt Pearl’ set to release sometime in the holiday season of 2024, the price for the shoes can go as high as $160. This wouldn’t be that high for sneakerheads who are used to splurging more on a pair of Air Jordans or even LeBrons. However, when it comes to the KD line, there are several options that sneakerheads can explore. Options that are marked at a better price range than the KD 17 ‘Aunt Pearl.’

Currently, a release is expected this Holiday 2024 season for $160; see the first look images just below and stay tuned for details.

What are some of the cheapest Nike Kevin Durant hits?

Nike KD ‘Trey 5 X’

These are a version of the KD line whose products have been made specifically for fans wanting to make a purchase within a budget. Inspired by KD 14, the shoes have not been made with a wholehearted emphasis on performance, but still feature a heat map-style traction pattern that helps in multidirectional coverage. Furthermore, featuring a rectangular Zoom Air unit and a full-length foam midsole, similar to the one on the Nike Kyrie Low 5, the KD Trey 5 X offers a noticeable amount of impact protection.

On Nike’s official website, potential buyers can find the shoes going for just $95! On StockX, the price can vary between $45 and $120, depending on an individual’s shoe size.

KD 15 ‘Olympics Gold Medal’

If you wish to acquire a pair of footwear that is quite recent, and also comes at a fair budget, then the KD 15s are the way to go. Featured in several colorways like ‘Napheesa Collier’ and ‘Nightmares,’ they cater to people who carry with them all kinds of preferences. However, for fans who closely watched the NBA star dominate over the course of his international career, only one colorway will stand out above the rest. That is the ‘KD 15 Olympic Gold Medal’ shoes.

Embroidered in gold, and navy blue, with the Nike swoosh highlighting the sides through a darkened shade, and red laces, the sneaker gives the impression of something that should be the only thing always adorning the feet of a gold medallist. Along with carrying the KD insignia, the tongue also highlighted the years 2010, 2016, and 2020. These were the three instances when Kevin Durant brought home the prestigious accolades during the Olympics (barring his recent 2024 Gold Medal run). Along with the aesthetics, the shoes also carry all the performance features that make the KD 15s great.

StockX currently has the shoes listed at $119.

KD 15 ‘Brooklyn Courts’

Ever wished to own a pair of sneakers that also told a story? Well, then if the Olympic Gold Medal shoes are not to your taste, you can always contemplate purchasing the KD 15 Brooklyn Courts. Created in collaboration with renowned designer and art director Timothy Goodman, the shoes feature overlays of graffiti print that carries expressions like ‘Hustle,’ ‘Dedicated’ and ‘Grind.’ The laces, carrying a violet shade, go through translucent TPU wings, while an orange pull tab helps in the easy wear and removal. A ‘Cushlon’ midsole and a rubber outsole help in the performance aspect.

With a price tag of $144 on Stock X and $155 on Kicks Crew, the ‘Brooklyn Courts’ are just a few dollars shy of the upcoming KD 17 ‘Aunt Pearl.’ However, for graffiti and sneaker enthusiasts alike, they offer a better choice.

Nike Zoom KD 3 ‘White Metallic Gold’

Sometimes, simple and plain is the name of the game. The emphasis on retro sneakers allowed Nike to launch the KD 3 in a white and gold colorway. Longtime fans who have been following the player since the beginning would be able to associate it with the ‘KD 4 PE’ that Durant wore during the 2014 NBA Finals. With a white Phylon midsole containing Zoom Air cushioning in the forefoot, and a rubber outsole that helps in durable traction, it is a great fit for those who do not just want to use the shoes for casual purposes.

Prices may vary according to size. However, the product in UK size 8 can only cost a sneakerhead $91 when purchasing it through either Stock X or Goat.com.

Nike KD 16 ‘Slim Reaper’

Over the course of the 17 years that he has been in the NBA, Kevin Durant has acquired lots of nicknames. However, none of them have resonated as well as ‘Slim Reaper’. After all, not only does it compliment the player’s thin frame, but it also fits perfectly with his persona of ‘killing’ men at nighttime, on the basketball court. As a result, several of Durant’s sneakers have come in the ‘Slim Reaper’ colorway, including the recent KD 16s.

Carrying a black, red, and silver colorway, the shoe also contains red dots, shaped like blood splatters, to give a more aesthetic look. While they were priced at $160 upon launch, the same has now dropped to $105.99 in lieu of sales.

Which Kevin Durant sneaker appeals to you the most? Let us know in the comments down below.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.