In a rookie class loaded with talent, we have seen an uncharacteristically high number of these first-year prospects agree to marquee shoe deals with big-name companies.
Brand such as Puma have burst back onto the basketball scene after inking a myriad of big names from this past year’s NBA Draft class. While Nike has also signed a few players, Jordan brand has remained largely dormant when it comes to this year’s crop of rookies. However according to ESPN’s Nick DePaula, they have agreed to a sneaker deal with rookie big man Moritz Wagner.
LA Lakers 1st Round pick and former Michigan standout Moe Wagner has agreed to a multi-year shoe deal with Jordan Brand. pic.twitter.com/mR3gNbNO48
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) September 8, 2018
With other brands taking the forefront when it comes to this draft class specifically, Jordan brand may have just found themselves a gem. A stellar athlete at Michigan, Moritz Wagner was taken 25th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers and has many of the values teams look for in an immediate contributor.
His pairing with Jordan could prove to pay major dividends down the road for them, as he is sure to become a fan favorite in The City of Angels sooner rather than later.
Wagner is another promising young piece the Lakers decided to add to their stable of foundational newcomers. With LeBron James now aboard, surrounding him with a big like Wagner who has the ability to stretch out to the three-point line could provide him with some familiarity.
The Lakers naturally already have a rather thin frontcourt and adding someone who possesses the raw ability of Wagner could prove to help their bench unit in a major way. Flying under the radar, Wagner could have a sneaky impact on this Lakers team right away depending on how he is used by head coach Luke Walton.
