They have been drafted and signed but it seems there is more to come for incoming frosh NBA players Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell.
The top two picks have been billed as the players to watch and along with that come of course the added perks like endorsement deals.
Nike has added the two incoming rookies to its list of brand endorsers, something that isn’t really surprising considering the credential that both carry.
Towns was selected first by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the recently concluded NBA Draft and is touted as the best big man among the crop.
Russell on the other hand was a surprise pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the draft but is considered one of the best point guards one can get.
Both players lived up to their billing after showing what they are capable of in the NBA Summer League and the two rookies are expected to unleash even more once the 2015-16 NBA season opens shop this coming October.
In a press release from the Nike.com website, both players bared their outlook for their respective teams.
For Towns, he hopes to provide the T-Wolves a big boost as far as their playoff aspirations are concerned.
"For me, the biggest thing is going to be making the playoffs with Minnesota after an 11-year drought. If I was blessed to be able to take them to the playoffs, that would be a big step in my career," said Towns.
On the other hand, Russell hopes to hone up his game and continue to improve.
"I want to reach my full potential as a rookie and just keep adding to my game"
There will be more players that will be joining Towns and Russell and the names of the other elite athletes should be known in the coming weeks.
While the signing of Towns and Russell are coming in, one player could be headed out.
James Harden’s deal with Nike already ended and a rival brand is reportedly offering the bearded one $200 million (spread over 13 years) to come on board.
According to ESPN, Adidas has submitted the big already and Nike will have until the end of next week to match the offer or lose Harden.
The figures are quite huge, about half of what Adidas paid to the NBA for 11 seasons as the league’s official uniform supplier. Adidas will not be renewing the deal and Nike is set to come in as the new supplier starting the 2016-17 season.
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