In the days of Walt Clyde Frazier, Puma was the go-to shoe brand for NBA basketball players, but they had since dropped out of favour. However, with the addition of many NBA players to their roster in 2018, they began to gain traction.
NBA players sign with Puma: Puma is a German company that makes sports and casual shoes, clothing, and accessories. For a long time, Puma has been associated with critical athletic occasions. The German company has partnered with famous athletes who act as important ambassadors in international sports.
When did NBA players get signed with Puma?
Puma announced that they would add a top basketball star to their team before revealing any current players. Puma named Jay-Z their Creative Director of Basketball Operations ahead of the 2018 NBA Draft. The famous rapper and producer was supposed to help find talented players for the brand.
Which NBA players signed a contract with Puma first?
PUMA returned with a bang to the performance basketball shoe market in the summer of 2018. The company quickly signed some of the top young basketball players in the world and released new performance gear and Puma basketball sneakers. Even though additional players have joined Team Puma since then, two names in particular stick out: Kyle Kuzuma and LaMelo Ball.
Kyle Kuzuma and LaMelo Ball
While still on his first contract, Kuzuma signed with Puma in 2019, making it their first time signing a player not in the current draft. One of the Lakers’ top two scorers ever since being selected with the 27th overall choice in the 2017 NBA Draft, Kuzuma has emerged as a key player. Puma suitably rewarded Kuzuma with a $3 million annual contract that spans five years. As a result, his annual salary with Puma will surpass his rookie contract with the Lakers. Kuzuma received the lowest NBA salary of all players in 2018 and averaged at least 18 points per game.
Terry Rozier, a former player for the Boston Celtics, was one of the key additions. Rozier didn’t have his own Puma basketball sneakers, but he was the face of PUMA ads and revealed special player-only Puma basketball shoes.
The signature shoe of Lamelo Ball
Lamello was one of the most famous NBA players who wear Puma shoes. The 2021 Summer League was where Lamelo Ball debuted in his Puma Signature sneaker. Prior to the start of the 2021–22 NBA season, the rookie of the year and rising NBA star publicly revealed his first signature shoe. It was possible to purchase the MB.01 starting in December 2021.
Some other NBA players who wear Puma shoes and signed deals
Many NBA players enhanced their careers by Puma basketball shoes. Lets talk about NBA players who wear Puma shoes.
Walt Clyde Frazier
Walt Frazier is the most accomplished NBA player to have played for Puma. Given his renowned Puma Clyde signature sneaker, he is known as the father of Puma. In 1973, the Hall of Famer became a brand spokesperson for Puma. In 2018, 45 years afterwards, the two-time NBA champion was taken aback by a lifetime contract with Puma. Frazier talked about making the popular basketball sneaker and how happy he was about the deal.
Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart began his career with Adidas and, in 2019, linked with a Puma basketball sneaker cooperation. The Boston Celtics guard and Puma have renewed their agreement to sponsor shoes and clothes.
RJ Barrett
Before Barret began playing professionally, Puma saw his potential and signed him to a multi-year deals in 2018. Barrett’s standing within the league improved when the German sportswear brand released a special sneaker just for him.
Deandre Ayton
In 2018, Deandre Ayton signed a four year contract (a multi-million dollar shoe deal) with Puma’s footwear and apparel line. The Puma Clyde Court Disrupt was given to the Phoenix Suns, who selected the No. 1 overall choice in the 2018 NBA Draft as their trademark footwear. Some of the money made from his 2019 RS-X Deandre Puma basketball shoes was donated to the Bahamas. The donation helped with Hurricane Dorian relief.
Marvin Bagley
Bagley made history in the NBA by wearing Puma shoes. He was the first player since Vince Carter to do so. Bagley also signed a five-year clothing contract with Puma before the 2018 draft.
So, these are some NBA players who used to wear Puma shoes.
Final Thoughts: NBA players sign with Puma
Everyone knows how tough it is to break into the shoe game, particularly at the NBA level. But by approaching the entire signing process in an entirely different way, Puma was able to carve out their niche. Going for rookies has been successful, particularly for top prospects with many unknown talents. They can now target more seasoned players, so you never know where they could launch their next attack. Puma signed shoe deals with many NBA players like Lamello, Kyle, Walt, Clyde, and Ayton have contributed to Puma basketball endorsements deals.
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