Kristaps Porzingis is Set to be a Highly Sought After Sneaker Free Agent

New York Knicks prized rookie Kristaps Porzingis is set to be a major player in sneaker free agency.

According to Nick DePaula of The Vertical, New York Knicks rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis will be a free agent this year.

A sneaker free agent that is. On September 30, 2016, Porzingis’ current sneaker deal will end. Which is a unique situation.

"He initially signed a four-year deal with Nike as a teenager when he began playing professionally overseas that paid him just $25,000 per year. That means his shoe deal expires this summer, after just one year in the NBA, which is entirely unheard of."

"“What made it unique was that it wasn’t over by the time he was drafted,” explained Chris Brantley, vice president of marketing at ASM Sports, which represents Porzingis. “Normally, a rookie will get drafted and you’ll work on his shoe deal before that first year. He still had one year to go, and we had him play out this year and bet on him. We bet that he would have a good season and put himself in position to get a nice contract when it expired.”"

Porzingis’ bet on himself looks like it will payoff handsomely, as he is currently averaging 14 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. Making himself a household name with all the spectacular put-back dunks early on in the season.

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Porzingis has been so impressive, in early December, Queens based sport beverage company BodyArmor SuperDrink announced that they had signed an endorsement deal with the rookie.

Even more shocking and telling of just how enormous Porzingis’ popularity has gotten is the fact that he is number four in jersey sales this season. NUMBER FOUR! Porzingis only trails superstars Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. To be among such elite names is astonishing!

Porzingis in a short amount of time completely turned how fans viewed him. Brantley wants his sneaker deal to personify that.

"“One of the things that he said that night [of the draft] was that he understands that people don’t really know him, but he just wants the opportunity to change their perception of who he is as a player, coming from Europe,”“I think he’s done that. We’re thinking it’ll be the same thing with his shoe deal.”“Whatever shoe he’s wearing, or whatever marketing plan is behind it, it will be something that supports someone who is a game changer and a perception changer,”"

Brantley also wants the sneaker to personify his style of unique style of play for a big man as well.

"“He’s not your typical big man. He’s a crossover player and a guard in a big man’s body.”“He’s someone that needs a light shoe in a high-top that’ll give him the support he needs as a big man,” “Because his game is not like your typical big man, he wants a light and quick shoe that still lets him make the cuts he wants to and is very mobile. He doesn’t want to be wearing a clunky shoe and wants to be light on his feet, with the right support.”"

You don’t need to look any further than the last game, where Porzingis had an amazing drive to the rim for an acrobatic reverse layup from the three-point line. That kind of agility and mobility from a 7’3″ big man is unheard of.

Porzinigis currently wears the high-top Nike Kobe X, as per Nick DePaula.

"he prefers wearing more agile and swift shoes, opting for the high-top Nike Kobe X sneaker. For the second half of the season, Nike has been providing Kristaps with custom size 16 editions of the shoe in Knicks colors. Come this summer, he’ll have every brand across the industry interested in making him a multi-million-dollar-per-year offer."

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Whichever company signs Porzingis will be making a wise investment if jersey sales are any measure of a predictive market indicator.

As a Knicks fan I know I would get them! How about you? Tell us if you would be interested in Porzingis sneakers in the comments below.

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