It was only a matter of time before Klay Thompson got a major shoe deal, and it sounds like an official announcement is on the way next week.
Thompson's upcoming deal (first announced by Bay Area News Group's Diamond Leung on Twitter) will be with Chinese apparel giants Anta Sports. Anta already sponsors Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and several other NBA players.
Thompson is averaging a career-high 22.4 points this season, and he stole the spotlight from fellow Splash Brother Stephen Curry with a 37-point third quarter last month against the Sacramento Kings (part of a career-high 52). While Curry was the one to shine in Wednesday night's win over the Dallas Mavericks, Thompson has emerged as an equal in Golden State's backcourt this season, rather than just part of a larger supporting cast.
There are no details currently available about the financials of Thompson's deal, but it's safe to assume Anta is offering Thompson much more than he would have been able to make if he stayed with Nike, his current shoe sponsor.
Curry, who also dropped Nike to go elsewhere, released his first signature shoe with Under Armour last month. The list of NBA players to leave American brands for Chinese sponsors is growing, and Thompson now joins Rondo, Garnett, Kevin Love (361 Degrees), Dwyane Wade (Li-Ning), and Tony Parker (Peak). The majority of Warriors players still wear Nikes, but Thompson, Curry, and Harrison Barnes (Adidas) have looked elsewhere.
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