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Last month, word got out that Kyle Kuzma may be the next star signed to PUMA Hoops.
Reports suggested the Lakers forward was ‘closing in on a deal’ with the German brand.
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
For those keeping track of Kuzma, last year he signed a ground-breaking deal with GOAT and was one of the first players to rock the Nike Adapt BB. Leaks this spring suggested he was slated to be the face and feet of the Nike Kobe AD NXT FastFit alongside DeMar DeRozan. Over the summer, Kuzma was part of the UNDFTD Kobe 4 Protro campaign and a resident style icon in loads of Swoosh heat.
As for PUMA, the brand was apparently very close to signing Zion Williamson who inked with Jordan Brand, thus leaving a large budget for PUMA’s Basketball division. Recently, D’Angelo Russell has been spotted in PUMA gear and the Clyde Court Disrupt. PUMA also signed Knicks rookie RJ Barrett.
Today, we find Kuz to PUMA is a done deal.
Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (@kylekuzma) has signed a five-year endorsement deal with Puma, becoming a face of the company, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 2, 2019
Signing a five-year deal worth more than $20 Million according to ESPN, Kuz is in many ways the highest profile player on the brand back on the basketball scene. An emerging star on and off the court in regard to style, game and market, look for Kuzma to be heavily involved with brand efforts this season in LA.
“The No. 1 thing I was trying to look for was a little bit more control, a little bit more freedom to do certain things. Not to be restricted from an idea standpoint,” Kuzma said. “Having a brand fully commit to me and see that I have visions too — that could work out well for the brand and me as well. Puma was that.”
In overachiever in many manners, Kuz is still on his rookie contract with the Lakers. While he’ll likely get the bag from the Buss family this offseason, this year he’s technically being paid more by PUMA than the Lakeshow.
Set to be playing in the Clyde Hardwood, peep Kuz keeping it casual at Media Day in the brand’s latest Rhude collab above. Is Kyle the perfect player for PUMA? We think so.
Will D’Angelo Russell sign with PUMA next? Keep it locked to Nice Kicks for details.
