***UPDATE: Nike will reportedly not match Puma’s multi-year offer to Kyle Kuzma, with the Kuzma-Puma partnership expected to be announced soon***
All signs point to Nike declining to match Puma's lucrative multi-year offer to the Lakers' Kyle Kuzma reported here Sept. 10 … lining up Puma to soon unveil Kuzma as its latest star endorser. @PUMAHoops declined comment when reached.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 24, 2019
Kyle Kuzma continues to make headlines prior to the NBA season. First reported by Marc Stein, the third-year Los Angeles Lakers forward is going to be a Puma athlete.
Hearing some buzz from the shoe game since arriving in China: Puma is closing in on a deal to sign the Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma .. who was forced to withdraw from Team USA last month with an ankle injury
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 11, 2019
Kuzma will be joining a plethora of young NBA athletes that are part of the Puma brand. Lottery picks from the past two drafts: RJ Barrett, Marvin Bagley and former first overall pick Deandre Ayton have recently signed with Puma. Ironically, Vince Carter, the oldest active player in the NBA. Teammate Danny Green is also a part of the German athletic brand.
The brand has seen a resurgence in the recent past with the introduction of their Puma Clyde Court Disrupt model. Puma is adding the marketability of Kuzma to its roster.
Kuzma has shown his taste in fashion and style with pregame outfits. He shows up to fashion events like New York Fashion week of this year.
.@kylekuzma out here for New York Fashion Week. Dior B23 High-Top on feet. pic.twitter.com/chj8d0Fa0C
— B/R Kicks (@brkicks) September 6, 2019
The likes of Rihana are part of Puma. This could lead to more fashion opportunities for the Michigan natives in the future.
