Why did Nikola Jokic leave Nike? Know everything about Nuggets star’s new shoe deal with Chinese brand 361° shoes

The Denver Nuggets superstar and reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic is one of the best players in the league. The Serbian led his franchise to their first-ever Championship glory in the 2023 NBA Finals. Undoubtedly one of the biggest names active in the league, it came as a surprise when Nikola Jokic severed ties with Nike to sign a multi-year deal with 361°, a Chinese shoe brand.

Since beginning his NBA career, Jokic has been a Nike athlete donning their shoes on the court. Over the last eight seasons, the Serbian center has largely featured shoes from the Nike Zoom GT series. However, for the first time in years, Jokic took the court against the Toronto Raptors during their 113-104 win wearing sneakers that were not from Nike.

But exactly what had prompted the superstar to sever ties with the Swoosh? Here’s what you need to know about Nikola Jokic’s multi-year shoe deal with 361°.

Why did Nikola Jokic leave Nike for 361?

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been wearing Nike sneakers since the beginning of his NBA career. The player has featured different variations of the Nike Zoom GT Jump series on the court, usually designed in Nuggets colors. However, despite being one of the biggest names in the NBA, Nike had not offered their star athlete a signature sneaker line.

Apparently, the sportswear giant has failed to renew their long-standing deal with Jokic, just six months after making a special tribute commercial for the player. The commercial depicted the Nuggets superstar’s 2023 NBA Championship journey as he led his team to the ultimate glory.

Despite his stardom and consistent performances, the Finals MVP did not get his own sneaker line from Nike. And that fact itself is presumed to have prompted the player to part ways with the brand.

Nikola Jokic signs multi-year sneakers deal with 361°

The rumors of Nikola Jokic signing a new shoe deal started circulating after the Serbian showed up wearing a 361° pair during practice last week instead of his Nike sneakers. The speculations regarding a possible deal with the Chinese brand has now been all but officially confirmed.

Jokic took the court against the Toronto Raptors in their recent matchup wearing a yet-to-be-marketed variation of 361° Big3 Future CQT from the Chinese brand. The flagship model of 361° is the first pair Nikola Jokic has worn in an official NBA game, putting all speculations to rest.

The fiscal details of the multi-year deal are still under the wraps but it is expected to be a big money move. 361° is already working on a signature line for the Nuggets superstar per reports.

Other NBA athletes signed with 361°

Nikola Jokic is not the only name from the NBA to sign with the Chinese brand. His Nuggets teammate Aaron Gordon is among some of the premier 361° athletes from the NBA. Gordon has been with the brand since 2020, and already has his own line of signature sneakers.

Spencer Dinwiddie and former Nuggets player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have also signed with the Chinese sportswear giant. Fans will be eagerly waiting for the Joker’s much-deserved signature line to hit the market early next year.

Unbeknownst to many, Jokic often plays with his wedding ring interlaced on his sneakers during crucial fixtures. The unconventional gesture serves as a tribute to his wife Natalija Jokic, whom he considers his lucky charm. Remains to be seen how the new sneaker deal elevates the Joker’s game on the court.

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