By ADAM ZAGORIA
Marvin Bagley III played on the Nike EYBL circuit, and has even been spotted at Nike events this summer.
But the 6-foot-11 big man from Duke is apparently on the verge of defecting to Puma for a five-year shoe deal, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.
The deal is expected to be the largest rookie sneaker contract since Kevin Durant signed a seven-year, $60 million endorsement deal with Nike in 2007. Durant’s deal included a $10 million signing bonus.
One industry source told ZAGSBLOG Bagley is expected to receive north of $2 million a year from Puma, which hasn’t featured an NBA player since Vince Carter 20 years ago.
Puma “is intent on making basketball work,” the industry source said. “They aren’t done yet on this year.”
Puma is also “close to a deal” with former Arizona big man Deandre Ayton, the potential No. 1 pick, according to The Oregonian.
“This will send shock waves through the industry,” grassroots sneaker legend Sonny Vaccaro told The Oregonian.
Meantime, the paper reported former Oklahoma guard Trae Young could command $1.8 million annually from Adidas.
Ayton, Bagley and Young played on the Nike EYBL circuit in high school.
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