Why is Deandre Ayton still wearing Nikes instead of Pumas?

Why is Deandre Ayton still wearing Nikes?

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Sneakers of DeAndre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the game against the Orlando Magic during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Deandre Ayton has a big shoe deal with Puma….so why is he still wearing Nikes?

For what it’s worth, the Phoenix Suns are 3-0 in Las Vegas Summer League preliminary play. Deandre Ayton posted a double-double Monday night against the Orlando Magic, clearly outplaying No. 6 overall pick Mo Bamba along the way.

Ayton has looked the part of the No. 1 pick in June’s draft, even in the style of a more traditional big man that has become an endangered species around the league. Speaking of style, Ayton and fellow rookie Marvin Bagley III are the headline rookies who signed deals with Puma as the company has ponied up to get back into the NBA shoe game after a 20-year absence.

But Ayton has been wearing Nikes in each of the Suns last two summer league games. So the question is why? Ayton was asked about that after the game Monday night, and he addressed it with logic and ease.

I asked Deandre Ayton why he wore Nike shoes instead of Puma for the 2nd straight game. They’re ironing out kinks w/his shoe size.

“I wear size 18. What we’re trying to do is make the best shoe possible. They want me to perform well. That’s why I’m wearing those right now.” pic.twitter.com/oFgjHfS1mp
— Master (@MasterTes) July 10, 2018

Deandre Ayton on why he wore Kobes instead of Puma shoes: “I love Puma shoes, but I wear size 18 so we’re working on putting a lot of technology into the shoe. They want me to perform the best way I can.” #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/HFF1SnP7zE
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) July 8, 2018

Big men wear very big shoes (see Shaquille O’Neal and plenty of others). Puma is probably playing a bit of catch-up in designing custom shoes for Ayton, Bagley and their other new NBA clients, and Ayton taking a size 18 is a challenge on top of that.

It’s obviously not a great look for Puma to have a marquee client like Ayton still wearing Nikes on the stage summer league has become. But it’s only July, and summer league, so there’s time to get a custom shoe done and get it right before Ayton takes the floor for his first meaningful NBA games.

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On Ayton’s side of things, he got a reported four-year, multi-million dollar shoe and apparel deal from Puma. So it behooves him to talk nicely about the company, and protect it from public scrutiny as people noticed he was wearing Nikes.

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