#SoleWatch: 10 NBA Players To Look Out For This Season

Tracking the best of the best.

1.

by Brandon Richard

As the 2015 NBA season nears tip-off, we're ready to embark on an all-new season of #SoleWatch, a comprehensive look at the sneakers being worn by players around the league.

Last season was a particularly enjoyable time for sneakers as four new signature athletes across brands were added to the mix. The big stories this season are how one of the league's best players, James Harden, adjusts to life as the new face of adidas Basketball, and how Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will rebound after dealing with season-ending injuries last year.

With these stories in mind, we've put together a list of the 10 players whose sneakers you should be looking out for in preparation for the new #SoleWatch season.

10. Jared Cunningham

2.

Jared Cunningham wearing the 'Remix' Nike Zoom LeBron 3

Brand: Nike

2014-2015 Rank: 38

If Cunningham stays on a roster this season, there's a chance he'll be named the #SoleWatch Champion. He was the unofficial "winner" of the preseason after breaking out several vintage Nike LeBrons, in LeBron's house. The addition of Cunningham could make Cleveland THE team to watch this season in terms of sneaker spotting.


9. James Harden

4.

James Harden wearing the adidas Crazylight Boost 2015

Brand: adidas

2014-2015 Rank: Not Ranked

Harden's first signature shoe isn't set to launch until next season, but it'll still be interesting to see what adidas cooks up for him this year. Thus far, it's been exclusive make-ups of the Crazylight Boost 2015, but we'll really get a feel for what an adidas x Harden partnership can be during special occasions like Christmas and the All-Star Game.


8. Kevin Durant

6.

Kevin Durant wearing the 'Creamsicle' Nike KD 8

Brand: Nike

2014-2015 Rank: Not Ranked

Kevin Durant's obvious disdain for the KD 7 as a performance model was compounded by a foot injury that sidelined him for most of last season. Now healthy and wearing a shoe he seems to like, Durant is looking to get back on track as a player and Nike pitchman.


7. Kyrie Irving

8.

Kyrie Irving wearing a Nike Kyrie 1 PE

Brand: Nike

2014-2015 Rank: 7

With one successful signature shoe under his belt, Kyrie Irving is back with new Player Exclusive colorways and the Kyrie 2 waiting in the wings. Well, he's not actually back yet — a cautious return from last season's knee fracture may push his return to 2016, after the expected launch of the Kyrie 2.


6. Stephen Curry

10.

Stephen Curry wearing the 'Iron Sharpens Iron' Under Armour Curry Two

Brand: Under Armour

2014-2015 Rank: 9

After putting Under Armour on the map last season, Stephen Curry returns to the court to lead Golden State's title defense in a new signature shoe. His ability to move sneakers out of stores means more colorways this season, along with the return of some of last year's favorites like "Dub Nation" and "Father to Son." There's a similarity between Curry as a basketball player and Curry as a sneaker endorser heading into the season — despite substantial success last year, he's on a mission to prove skeptics wrong.


5. Nick Young

12.

Nick Young wearing the Reebok Answer 1

Brand: Whoever Pay Him

2014-2015 Rank: 3

Despite rumors of interest from adidas, it looks like Swaggy P is heading into the new season brandless. If things stay that way, Young has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his good friends Kobe Bryant and Gilbert Arenas with an unpredictable season of sneaker free agency. During the preseason, he played in adidas, Jordan, Nike and Reebok, setting the stage for what could be his most exciting run to date.


4. Kobe Bryant

14.

Kobe Bryant wearing a Nike Kobe 10 Elite PE

Brand: Nike

2014-2015 Rank: 32

After an injury prematurely sent him home for the second-straight year, Bryant returns for what he hopes will be a healthy season. Between the conclusion of the Kobe 10, introduction of the Kobe 11 and a possible retirement, this could be one of the most important sneaker seasons in Bryant's career.


3. P.J. Tucker

16.

P.J. Tucker wearing the 'Sunset' Nike Kobe 6

Brand: Nike

2014-2015 Rank: 1

There's no reason to believe that last season's #SoleWatch Champion won't be a factor again. The league's most unpredictable sneakerhead, Tucker mixes vintage heat from his personal collection with well-done NIKEiDs. How he could possibly follow-up last season's crazy rotation is the only thing in question.


2. Russell Westbrook

18.

Russell Westbrook wearing an 'OKC' Air Jordan XX9 PE

Brand: Jordan

2014-2015 Rank: 8

Though his signature shoe is an off-court model, Westbrook has been given the honor of debuting the past two Air Jordan game shoes on-court. He'll likely have the same role this season, when the highly anticipated Air Jordan 30 is unveiled. Furthermore, he always has a surprise retro PE or two lined up for special occasions.


1. LeBron James

20.

LeBron James wearing a Yellow/Navy Nike LeBron 13 PE

Brand: Nike

2014-2015 Rank: 2

With the narrative of "The Return" now a thing of the past, LeBron James can focus on his one goal — bringing a championship home. This season, he'll be going to work in the new Nike LeBron 13, and if previous seasons are any indication, there will be a LOT of colorways. For perspective, it's only October and we've already seen more than 15 styles that are expected to release. Is over saturation a possibility? Maybe, but it keeps things interesting, and there's rarely a dull #SoleWatch moment when it comes to LeBron.