Embiid's large presence on and off the court makes him an obvious target for Under ArmourNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
76ers C Joel Embiid has been "wearing Under Armour sneakers" for the past few days, after having worn Adidas "since being drafted" in '14, according to Keith Pompey of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Embiid said, "My contract with adidas officially ends up on the 30th. Just trying new shoes. I'm a free agent. So I'm just trying new shoes, but there's contract negotiations and we're pretty close" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 9/24). HOOPS HYPE's Bryan Kalbrosky writes the reason UA would "target Embiid is obvious, considering his larger-than-life presence both on the court and off." Embiid "plays in a big media market and has a large fanbase online," so it is "no surprise any company, especially one looking to make a splash, would want to sign" the 24-year-old. However, it is "hard to imagine" why Embiid would go with UA (HOOPSHYPE.com, 9/22).
SEEING GREEN: In Boston, A. Sherrod Blakely reported Celtics F Gordon Hayward is "close to coming to terms" on a multiyear deal after being "courted by a number of shoemakers." Nike, China-based Anta and Boston-based New Balance, which entitles the Celtics' new Auerbach Center practice facility, have all been "pursuing Hayward" (NBCSPORTSBOSTON.com, 9/22).
