The Top 5 Watches We Have Spotted NBA Players Wearing

If you have had your eyes trained on the NBA Draft over the summer, this year’s All-Star game, or even the previous season’s finals, then you have almost certainly spotted luxury watches strapped around the wrists of your favorite basketball stars. NBA players are among the highest-paid athletes in the world, with household names like Kevin Durant and Steph Curry raking in easily over $50 million every year. What do they do with all of that cash? For some players, investing in luxury watches is one of the smartest purchases they make.

This year’s NBA regular season kick off is right around the corner, and as we look forward to longstanding rivalries, epic three-pointers, and memorable buzzer-beating moments, we are taking a look at some of the best luxury watches we have spotted NBA players wearing over the past few years. Globally treasured brands like Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex tend to make themselves known in the world of pro basketball, but other up and comers often show up here, too.

As an added bonus, you are almost sure to spot some elite watches courtside, too. Once the 2025-2026 NBA regular season revs up on October 21, it ushers in a flood of celebrities soaking up the timeless draw of basketball from enviable floor seats. Just last season, we spotted longtime fans like Spike Lee and Jack Nicholson courtside as well as countless other A-listers such as Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Timothée Chalamet, Drake, Usher, Ben Affleck, Barack Obama, and many more.

While you get ready to cheer on your home team, take a look at this retrospective of the best luxury watches worn by NBA players over the years.

At the 2024 All-Star Game, which revived the classic Eastern Conference versus Western Conference format, Dončić showed off an impressive 18K white gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch. With three chronograph subdials and an arresting 41 mm silhouette, there is no doubt that the Royal Oak stuns from every angle. But the true piece de resistance of this watch is its “frosted” finish, achieved through proprietary tooling methods. The look adds an element of artistry and renown to the bezel, case, and bracelet of an already impressive timepiece.

Dončić’s shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers back in May 2025 dominated sports world headlines for weeks. While the outrage from Texans and joy from Los Angelenos has since quieted, Dončić continues to show up in style pages around the world celebrating professional athletes who dress to the nines. With his subtle, sporty, and sophisticated style, there is no doubt that Dončić chose the perfect watch for his aesthetic.

A shooting guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell often makes headlines for his incredible play. Still, that is far from all he brings to the table. Mitchell has amassed an impressive collection of luxury watches, but there is no doubt that his Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 5712 is one of his favorites. This “Moonrose” watch is an elegant twist on the classic Nautilus line, subbing out the standard metal bracelet for a luxe leather strap.

Mitchell has been photographed wearing this gorgeous watch on numerous occasions. The 18K rose gold bezel preserves the iconic cushion shape of the original 1970s Nautilus collection but adds enhanced functionality and flair. The black-brown dial features a subtle gradient hue, a moon phase complication, and a date display. You will also find a power reserve indicator, which is a helpful and oft-overlooked feature when it comes to luxury timepieces. The 41 mm silhouette is perfect for wrists of any size and emphasizes the tried-and-true middle range of watch diameters. For those looking to evoke suave, timeless style, this Nautilus 5712 is the ideal choice, a complete no brainer.

Rolex was the name of the game at this year’s NBA Draft, but Walter Clayton Jr. may have sported the blingiest piece of the night. After playing in college for the Iona Gaels and the Florida Gators, Clayton Jr. is joining the Utah Jazz for what is sure to be an illustrious career. On draft night, his gorgeous yellow gold Rolex was certainly a showstopper. With diamonds encircling the bezel, this memorable watch shows off a glamorous champagne dial with index hour markers and a date display at the 3 o’clock position. Of course, in classic Day-Date fashion, there is also a day of the week display at 12 o’clock. The Day-Date collection has even been dubbed the “President’s Watch” due to its association with numerous 21st-century world leaders. If you are trying to show off your sophistication, taste, and prowess, there is no going wrong with a Rolex Day-Date.

Other hot watches at the NBA Draft event included VJ Edgecombe’s Rolex Datejust, Asa Newell’s Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, Danny Wolf’s Rolex Deepsea, and Kon Knueppel’s Rolex Yacht-Master. Cooper Flagg, the standout Duke recruit who was chosen first in the 2025 draft by the Dallas Mavericks, broke the Rolex mold with a blinged-out Hublot watch. The NBA Draft is always a place to behold some awe-inducing wristwear, and the 2025 event did not let us down in the slightest.

Off the court, Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton is known for his preppy style: Think Louis Vuitton duffel bags, vintage loafers, and outfits that would be just as fitting for a Milan runway as they would a courtside handshake. He has been photographed in many different luxury watches, including a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, an iconic Cartier Tank Louis, and even a unique Cartier Pebble hailing from the 1970s. But his favorite watch? He told the South China Post that he loves his Cartier Crash, a unique Dali-esque design that is all the rage in the horological world right now.

It seems that Haliburton’s early Cartier creations are just the beginning of his haute horlogerie obsession. In 2023, Haliburton signed a record-breaking deal with the Pacers to score $260 million over 5 years. His plans for his newfound funds? “I’ll probably start getting into watches, and that’s gonna be my biggest thing,” he told Basketball Network. We cannot wait to see which creations Haliburton acquires next as he continues to set the standard for dressing well in basketball.

We think that Richard Mille’s RM 07-01 line, which is full of bright colors and ceramic styles, is a ton of fun. It seems like Jayson Tatum, small forward with the Boston Celtics, agrees. Tatum has been photographed wearing a vibrant RM 07-01 on multiple occasions, although he did suffer some shade for this watch choice. In 2024, a reporter asked Tatum if he was wearing a “kid’s watch” while sporting the RM 07-01, perhaps due to its playful silhouettes and contrasting hues. Tatum seemed surprised by the question, commenting, “That was crazy” to teammate Derrick White. Crazy it is, when you are wearing a six-figure watch. Although Tatum is only 27 years old, he can certainly afford a luxury timepiece to rival the rest.

Tatum’s RM 07-01 is the Pastel Lavender edition, which is not dissimilar to the model shown above. This watch highlights gorgeous lavender, plum, and eggplant hues paired with bright swaths of royal blue. Richard Mille is a favorite of high-performance athletes around the world, so it should come as no surprise that this promising young player with the Celtics has set the Swiss brand in his sights. Other Richard Mille partners of note include tennis great Rafael Nadal, Formula 1 drivers like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, and golfing professionals like Bubba Watson. The real question is, will you join these ranks of impressive, stylish people?

No matter whose style you would like to emulate, Avi & Co. is here to help. We have decades of experience in the luxury watch and fine jewelry industries, and we have even launched three of our own Avi & Co. watch lines over the past couple of years. Additionally, you can explore our range of fine diamond jewelry, Diamonds by Avi & Co., which includes gorgeous necklaces, engagement rings, bracelets, and earrings. There is so much to explore in our three elegant showrooms, located in New York City, Miami, and Aspen, Colorado.

So what are you waiting for? Take the next step toward revitalizing your watch collection and make an appointment to shop with us today.