耐克的NBA城市版球衣设计灵感是否已枯竭？

When Nike became the official on-court apparel supplier for the NBA in 2017, it ushered in a new era of basketball aesthetics. One of its flagship introductions was the annual "City Edition" jersey, a uniform designed to honor the unique culture and history of each team's city. For years, this program delivered fresh, and often bold, new looks every season.

However, as we look ahead to the 2025-26 season which is the ninth year of the Nike partnership, a new theme has emerged that raises a critical question: Has Nike run out of ideas? The theme for the upcoming season's City Edition jerseys is to bring back or recolor "modern classics." This means we will see several teams wearing designs that are, in some cases, only a few years old.

For example, the Los Angeles Lakers' 2025-26 City Edition jersey is set to be the same as their 2023-24 design. Similarly, the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks will both be re-releasing their City Edition looks from the 2019-20 season. These are not isolated cases but part of a league-wide directive for the year, signaling a significant shift from the program's original goal of providing a brand-new story each season.

The Basketball Jersey Archive Opinion

From our perspective at the Basketball Jersey Archive, the answer is a definitive yes. It certainly appears Nike has exhausted its creative well for the time being. The core appeal of the City Edition concept was its annual novelty and the anticipation of a completely new design that tells a new story. Bringing back jerseys that are just two to six years old feels less like a celebration of heritage and more like a creative shortcut. It suggests that after nearly a decade of producing 30 unique concepts year after year, the well of original, compelling ideas may be running low.

2022-23 NBA City Jerseys, photo courtesy of the NBA

However, while it may indicate a creative lull, it's impossible to ignore the business acumen behind this decision. From a marketing standpoint, this move is incredibly smart. Nike can identify the most popular and commercially successful designs from recent years and re-release them to a willing market. This strategy minimizes risk, capitalizes on proven sellers, and satisfies fans who may have missed their chance to purchase a beloved jersey the first time around. It's a safe bet that guarantees strong sales, even if it comes at the cost of innovation.