Kevin Durant's Nike KD 18 Gets An Air Bakin-Inspired Makeover

Kevin Durant has been telling his personal story via his signature sneaker series with Nike since the 2008-09 NBA season. Now on his 18th model, the Phoenix Sun continues to bring bits of his off-court inspirations to sneaker form. On Friday, Feb. 28, the 36-year-old unveiled his Nike KD 18 in a brightly-colored style inspired by 1997's original Air Bakin.

Worn in-game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the current-Player-Exclusive (PE) features the same 'Fire Red/Black/Amarillo' color combination with which the Tim Hardaway-approved silhouette debuted on the NBA court 28 years ago. In addition to creating a through-line between Nike Basketball's current and past designs, the bold pair also commemorates Durant's connection to the DMV area, as his hometown of Washington D.C. and its surroundings have been big fans of the retro hoops sneaker.

Like its muse, the 'Fire Red' KD 18 boasts the ruby-colored flair across the bulk of its upper, leaving laces and branding to indulge in the sun-reminiscent yellow. Mesh panels visible along the profiles join the midsole in its pitch-'Black' finish, allowing for contrasting tones to revel in the spotlight. Together, each component playfully recreates a style that fans have been eager to see return in OG form (Supreme launched two collaborative pairs in early 2023).

Enjoy a closer look at the KD 18 'Air Bakin' below – courtesy of X user @RicFlair79. A proper Nike.com release date is expected to take place on Thursday, May 15, for $150.

For more from the Swoosh conglomerate, check out the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 'Brick by Brick' collaboration set to launch on March 14.