Doncic has been a sneaker free agent since his two-year Nike deal signed in '17 expired Sept. 30NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Mavericks G Luka Doncic is "on the verge of signing a shoe deal with Jordan Brand," according to sources cited by DePaula & MacMahon of ESPN.com. Sources said that the five-year deal includes footwear and apparel, though it "will not begin as a signature deal." Doncic can earn a signature shoe "through bonus clauses such as winning MVP or Finals MVP." Doncic has "been a sneaker free agent since his two-year Nike deal" that he had signed in '17 expired Sept. 30. Sources said that Puma and Under Armour "had major interest in Doncic," but Under Armour "never made an official offer, and Puma shied away from being aggressive with their offer because of Nike's match clause" (ESPN.com, 12/21). YAHOO SPORTS' Eric He wrote it is "no surprise" that Jordan Brand pursued Doncic, having "leaned toward younger, up-and-coming stars in recent years." Jordan Brand signed Pelicans F Zion Williamson to a five-year deal earlier this year, and also recently signed Celtics F Jayson Tatum and Wizards F Rui Hachimura (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/21). Jordan Brand this year recorded its first ever billion-dollar quarter (THE DAILY).
