This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Kevin Durant had a busy off-season this summer. From becoming USA Basketball’s all-time leading scorer to winning a gold medal, the accolades continued to mount for KD. But, Durant and Nike didn’t see eye-to-eye after the Suns forward was left off the brand’s “Winning Isn’t For Everyone” ad.

Durant spoke about his relationship with Nike ahead of the Nike KD 18 during the 2024-2025 Phoenix Suns media day before the new season.

“Everything’s on schedule, just like it always is,” Durant told Nice Kicks during the press conference. “Sometimes you have a conversation like that as family and move on.”

Nike’s “Winning Isn’t For Everyone” campaign was made for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which included LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, A’Ja Wilson, Sha’Carri Richardson, Sophia Smith, Kylian Mbappé, and other elite Nike athletes participating in the Summer Games. However, Durant was not included, prompting him to ask the question: is Kevin Durant a bad person?

After becoming USA Basketball’s all-time leading scorer, Nike honored the Suns forward with an entire campaign.

Durant, who is on his 17th signature shoe in the Nike KD 17 ahead of the Nike KD 18, is undoubtedly one of the best ever to play the game and a modern face for the Swoosh. Like Durant, many were perplexed by his omission of the campaign.

To celebrate Durant’s legendary moment by surpassing Lisa Leslie on the USA Basketball scoring leaderboard, Nike followed up with an ad narrated by Deion Sanders and a series of billboards claiming that he’s the baddest — not a bad person.

Now, all is well between The Slim Reaper and the Swoosh.

Stay tuned to Nice Kicks on Instagram and the sneaker release dates page to stay on top of the latest news and drops.

Related Posts