Hope springs eternal on NBA media day, when every team is 0-0 and all of their goals are within reach. The start of every season begins the same way: players tell us they are in the best shape of their life, they’ve gained 15 pounds of muscle, and they’re ready to do anything it takes to contribute to winning. It’s unfortunate that basketball fans can’t live in this dreamscape forever.
One of the best parts about the start of training camp seeing players who changed teams over the summer in their new uniforms. It was incredibly strange to see Klay Thompson trade in his Golden State Warriors jersey for Dallas Mavericks threads this time last year, and it’s going to be hard to remember Chris Paul ever played for the San Antonio Spurs when he eventually retires.
The 2025-26 NBA season has now unofficially underway after the league held its remaining media day festivities on Monday. The regular season doesn’t begin until Oct. 21, but we already have a first look at players in their new uniforms. Here are the NBA players who looked especially strange in their new jerseys.
Kevin Durant, F, Houston Rockets
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets poses for a portrait during media day on September 29, 2025 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Desmond Bane, G, Orlando Magic
Cam Johnson, F, Denver Nuggets
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Cameron Johnson #23 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a head shot during medai day on September 29, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Jrue Holiday, G, Portland Trail Blazers
PORTLAND, OREGON - SEPTEMBER 29: Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during media day at Moda Center on September 29, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Getty Images
Kristaps Porzingis, C, Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for a head shot during Hawks Media Day on September 29, 2025 at PC&E Studios Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Lonzo Ball, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 29: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day at Rocket Arena on September 29, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) Getty Images
Brook Lopez, C, Los Angeles Clippers
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brook Lopez #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers poses for a portrait during media day at Intuit Dome on September 29, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) Getty Images
Deandre Ayton, C, Los Angeles Lakers
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 29, 2025 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Getty Images
Dennis Schröder, G, Sacramento Kings
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a photo during a media day photo shoot at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on September 29, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) Getty Images
Norman Powell, G, Miami Heat
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 5: Norman Powell #24 of the Miami Heat poses for a portrait on August 5, 2025 in at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Kevon Looney, C, New Orleans Pelicans
METAIRIE, LA - SEPTEMBER 23: Kevon Looney #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a portrait during Media Day in Metairie, Louisiana on September 23, 2025. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Jordan Poole, G, New Orleans Pelicans
METAIRIE, LA - SEPTEMBER 23: Jordan Poole #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a portrait during Media Day in Metairie, Louisiana on September 23, 2025. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Myles Turner, C, Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 29: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for a portrait during media day at Fiserv Forum on September 29, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) Getty Images
Chris Paul, G, Los Angeles Clippers
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers poses for a portrait during media day at Intuit Dome on September 29, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) Getty Images
Okay, this last one looks familiar. Lob City might be long gone, but Chris Paul is eternal.
