For the second offseason in a row, an unexpected sneaker brand emerged to dominate the conversation heading into the NBA draft and summer league.
Last summer, it was Lonzo Ball's unique Big Baller Brand venture and his eventual musical-chairs approach to playing in a different sneaker in each game of his run to being named 2017 Summer League MVP. This year, Puma Basketball's re-entry into the NBA for the first time in two decades caused a stir, with big-name signings and the announcement that Jay-Z would be serving as creative director.
With the brand signing the top two picks in Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III, along with midteen selections Michael Porter Jr.