After six years and three signature sneakers with adidas, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has joined Jordan Brand. The news comes after Young was spotted in several brands during his sneaker-free agency this season. The 3x NBA All-Star has favored the Air Jordan 39 and will continue to wear it as part of his deal. “This brand embodies basketball, style, and a desire to win and be great,” said Young. Young was a star at the University of Oklahoma, which became a Jordan Brand-sponsored school after he was drafted. I’m excited to be a Jordan Brand athlete, and I’m sure there will be opportunities for OU and I to come together.”
While the terms of the deal have not been made public, it is unlikely that Young will receive a signature sneaker from the Jumpman. Instead, he will serve as one of the faces of the Air Jordan performance line like Paolo Banchero. This decision reflects the current signature sneaker market and his self-awareness about the success of his adidas line. Given the current state of signature sneakers, Young’s best chance at continuing his signature legacy would likely have come from a Chinese brand. Signature shoe deals with legacy brands have slowed drastically in recent years, as has the dollar amount. This move makes sense for Young because it aligns him with one of the world’s top sports and lifestyle brands and associates his face and legacy with Michael Jordan’s. We can, however, expect to see plenty of PEs (Player Editions) of the Air Jordan 39.