Top 5 NBA players who have had major deals with Puma

Puma used to be the preferred shoe brand for NBA basketball during the time of Walt Clyde Frazier but they had since fallen off the pecking order. However, they started making their way back in 2018 with the signings of several NBA players under their belts.

Making a comeback to the NBA with their first basketball sneaker after 20 years it was only right that they named the sneaker, The Disrupt. In a bid to stage a massive comeback, Puma signed five of the first 16 picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, including the top two picks.

Let's take a dive at the top five NBA players who have had a major Puma deal.

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Five NBA Players who have had major deals with Puma

#5 Deandre Ayton

Detail of Puma shoes worn by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 17, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated defeated the Mavericks 121-100.

Deandre Ayton signed a four-year, multi-million dollar deal with Puma's footwear and apparel in 2018. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft with the Phoenix Suns was assigned a signature sneaker, the Puma Clyde Court Disrupt.

The Pac 12 Player of the Year award recipient joins a list of young players signed by Puma in 2018, including Marvin Bagley III from the Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks' R.J. Barrett and Kevin Knox, Philadelphia 76ers' Zhaire Smith, Micheal Porter Jr from Denver Nuggets, and Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets.

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#4 DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Houston Rockets in action against the Miami Heat during a game at the Toyota Center on February 11, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

DeMarcus Cousins joined Puma in 2018 on a multi-year deal that positioned him as the new leader of the Puma NBA players roster. His signature sneakers are the Puma Clyde Court PE and Puma Uproar.

The four-time NBA All-Star, popularly known as Boogie, joined the Puma roster, which had only earlier signed five rookies in the same year.

#3 Ralph Sampson

A close up of the Puma sneakers worn by Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings during their game against the Melbourne United at Golden 1 Center on October 16, 2019 in Sacramento, California.

“Because if you’re not the predator, you’re the prey.” This was the highly controversial tagline used in print ads for Puma and NBA star Ralph Sampson's campaign. Ralph Sampson signed with Puma in 1983 becoming the highest NBA basketball profile on their roster since Clyde.

However, the deal hit a snag as Puma didn't have a pair of sneakers that fit the four-time NBA All-Star player's size 17 feet, so he had to make do with prototypes pending when Puma Ralph Sampson was created.

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#2 Walt "Clyde" Frazier

New York Knick Legend Walt Frazier waves during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden on February 15, 2015 in New York City.

Walt Frazier is arguably the most decorated NBA player to have appeared on the Puma roster. He is referred to as the godfather of Puma with his famous Puma Clyde signature sneaker. The Hall of Famer signed on to Puma as a brand ambassador in 1973.

The deal was perceived to be historic. One that not only guarantees payment of the athlete to wear the sneakers but to also be a part of the creative process by helping in designing it.

45 years later, the two-time NBA champion was surprised by a lifetime deal with Puma in 2018. Expressing his joy and commenting on the deal, Frazier talked about his role in designing the iconic sneaker. Adam Petrick, Global Director of Branding and Marketing for Puma, said the deal was long overdue.

"I came up with a lighter shoe, a little more padding on the inside and that was the beginning of the Puma Clyde and the shoe has been timeless. During my career I endorsed Puma and then there was a lull in the action. Then, the breakdancers brought it back. After that fling, the retro craze brought it back. Here we are 40-some years later — I’m still synonymous with Puma Clyde and passing the tradition on to younger guys,” Frazier said expressing excitement.

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#1 LaMelo Ball

LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to shoot in front of Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on May 16, 2021 in Washington, DC.

The NBA point guard LaMelo Ball chose Puma over the family brand Big Baller Brand, owned by his father, LaVar Ball. LaVar had previously been quoted as saying his sons signing with another shoe brand would be a "slap in the face" as he stated it was impossible.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft with the Charlotte Hornets signed a $100 million deal with Puma for four years. The deal is said to be the biggest Puma deal yet. The Ball brothers are signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation sports management outfit, little wonder how easily the deal between the youngest Ball brother and Puma materialized with Jay Z being appointed as the brand's creative director and president of basketball operations in 2018.

When asked why he signed with Puma, Ball responded that the brand allows him to be himself, which is a core requirement for him. His deal with Puma gives him access to the brand's private jet.