Trae Young drops $39 billion shoe giant to join Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum & Co. as latest Jordan Brand athlete
After starting his NBA career with Adidas, Trae Young appears to be changing sneaker affiliations. The All-Star guard is now joining an array of other big names under one of the most iconic brands in the industry.
Young first signed with Adidas in 2018 after he was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. Over the course of six years with the company, Young produced three signature shoes. Back in October, Young made the decision to part ways with the $39 billion brand.
On Friday, it was announced Young will now be joining the Jordan Brand. Other NBA stars affiliated with the company include Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson and Jayson Tatum.
Young, three years removed from making an All-NBA team, is one of the top point guards in the league. This season, he is averaging 21.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 11.9 assists per game.
With Young switching brands, it means he will have to restart his line of signature shoes. As of now, there is no timetable of when the Hawks guard will get his first official sneaker with the Jordan Brand.
Trae Young speaks on joining Jordan Brand
Shortly after news broke of him joining the Jordan Brand, Young touched on what went into the decision.
"To have the opportunity to join a brand that has a history of greatness is surreal," Young said. "To me, it’s about setting the bar for the people that come after you. I’m grateful MJ did that for people like myself, and my goal is to try and continue that legacy for the young kids, including my brother, that are coming up after me."
Young joining Jordan gives him another connection to Luka Doncic. The two were part of the now-famous trade on draft night 2018, and are now with the same shoe company.
Young's decision to join Jordan comes around the same time that his team is also going through a transitional period. After failing to make the playoffs last year, the Hawks have embraced a youth movement.
Atlanta traded Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, paving the way for Jalen Johnson to be Young's new running mate. The Hawks also won the draft lottery and took prospect Zaccharie Risacher.