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Puma continues its widely discussed re-entry into the basketball market by signing four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins to a multi-year deal. Cousins’ current endorser, Nike, will have 10 days to match Puma’s offer sheet according to a new report from our Nick DePaula via ESPN.
Cousins, 28, will act as Puma’s flagship talent for its restored basketball division. While the brand has signed several incoming rookies alongside the likes of Rudy Gay and most recently Terry Rozier III, the newest Golden State Warrior is a major market star with All-NBA talent to match.
Signing with the Warriors this off-season, Cousins will return to the team later this season following injury rehabilitation. Although he won’t suit up for the season opener, Puma signs Cousins just in time for the global launch of its Clyde Court Disrupt on October 11. Cousins is also expected to be the face of the brand’s forthcoming basketball model in spring 2019.
Cousins, too, is unique in that he’s one of the few NBA stars that owns the rights to his logo. It’s expected to appear on upcoming Puma PEs.
Other Puma signees include a stellar rookie class helmed by the 2018 No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton. In addition to the Arizona Wildcats product, Puma has also reeled in Marvin Bagley III, Kevin Knox, Michael Porter Jr., and Zhaire Smith.
