It’s been a near-faultless season for Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. And it just keeps getting better.
You might be familiar with the expression, ‘free agent season’ — it’s a player’s final season before becoming a free agent, or free to sign whatever contract they choose and play wherever they wish to play. The implication is that players tend to go all out and even have career years when there’s additional motivation at play. It’s a very tangible motivational factor.
Well, ‘SGA’ isn’t a free agent in the traditional sense; he’s tied to his current deal through 2027. But Gilgeous-Alexander is, soon to be, what you call a sneaker free agent.
And given he has – so far – put together a season that warrants legitimate MVP candidacy, sneaker free agency will prove incredibly lucrative.
SGA has averaged over 30 points per game across the 2023-24 season and led his Thunder into a position to legitimately contend for the West, with the Playoffs approaching.
And his blistering last 12 months has set him up to land one of basketball’s biggest breakthroughs: a signature shoe deal.
So everything’s coming up ‘Gil-house’ for the 25-year-old Canadian.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s signature shoe deal
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The Athletic‘s lead basketball insider Shams Charania revealed on Fan Duel’s flagship NBA show Run it Back that SGA is in line to become the league’s newest superstar with a signature shoe deal — a benchmark not many players reach.
In recent seasons, players to land something of this magnitude are Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Jayson Tatum and Ja Morant.
“Industry sources tell me he’s the next star in line to receive a signature shoe deal,” Charania said on Run it Back.
“There are several companies he’s going to be in discussions with, showing interest. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have a new sneaker shoe deal, whether it’s with Converse or elsewhere, and he will get a signature shoe deal.”
The Thunder guard has leverage, given how phenomenal the season he’s put together has been.
So whether he figures something out with Converse, the brand he currently has a sneaker deal with, or considers talking to one of the other big players like Nike or Adidas, that’s a wait and see.
But he does have history with Converse, so we’re installing them as the favourite in the race to sign SGA to a signature shoe deal.
SGA the sneaker free agent
Insider Shams Charania also flagged that SGA’s sneaker deal with Converse finishes in September, before the beginning of the next NBA season.
“On the court, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP candidate, he’s on a max contract through 2027,” he said.
“But off the court, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be a sneaker free agent in September. He’s with Converse right now, his contract expires in September.”
Now whether the sneaker and signature shoe conversations are merged is a matter for him and his agent.
As easy on the eyes he is to watch as a player doing his thing on the court, Gilgeous-Alexander is also widely considered one of, if not, the most stylish players in the league. He has a passion for fashion and isn’t afraid to flaunt it.
So when the SGA profile is attached to a sneaker brand, people will take notice.
It’s full steam ahead for Gilgeous-Alexander and his OKC’s Playoffs campaign — the team featuring Aussie Josh Giddey, young gun Chet Holmgren, along with other rising stars.
Should the core of the group stick around, this team will keep itself in the contender conversation for many years to come.
We’re tipping that once the Playoffs are done, my mid-year, ‘shoe watch’ officially ramps up with regards to one of the NBA’s most valuable players.
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