Clippers' Kawhi Leonard Unveils New Balance Kawhi 5

Kawhi Leonard’s fifth signature shoe with New Balance, the "Kawhi 5", was unveiled Wednesday. The model pairs a premium soft upper for lockdown and comfort with a dual-density FuelCell midsole and a Y-Plate at the forefoot. It will launch summer 2026 and comes with an apparel capsule including a lightweight warm-up jacket, tapered performance shorts and a breathable training tee. Leonard first showed the shoe during the 2026 All-Star events and has been with New Balance since 2018. Merlin sees the timing as smart. Kawhi is in peak form this season, a seventh All-Star averaging a career-high 28.1 points while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three. A low-key, performance-first signature line fits his brand and could give New Balance more traction among players and collectors when the first colorway drops.