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Kyrie Irving’s Loss Looks Like It’s Going To Be Ja Morant’s Gain With New Nike Signature Shoe

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Surprisingly enough, unapologetic antisemitism has not worked out all that well for Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving. Not only was Irving suspended by the Nets, but he’s also lost a number of endorsement deals.

Chief among those endorsement deals was a massive contract with Nike, which has even manufactured a signature shoe for the seven-time NBA All-Star. The sports apparel giant suspended its relationship with Irving in November and parted ways with the superstar altogether on Monday.

The move seemingly didn’t upset Irving, who immediately responded to the news on Twitter.

But one NBA star’s loss appears to be another’s gain.

Ja Morant Set To Receive New Signature Shoe From Nike In Wake Of Kyrie Irving Divorce

Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote about how Irving’s then suspension from Nike could benefit Morant, also a Nike athlete, down the line.

Now it appears that Cole was onto something.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Monday afternoon that Morant was “in line” to receive a new signature shoe from the company.

Memphis Grizzlies All-NBA star Ja Morant is in line to receive a new signature shoe at Nike in the near future, industry sources tell@TheAthletic (and)@Stadium. The parties have been working on this for several months. – Shams Charania
The move comes as little surprise. The Grizzlies selected Morant with the second pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He’s developed into one of the league’s biggest superstars.
The Murray State product made his first All-Star game in 2021-22. He also finished seventh in the league MVP voting a year ago. While voters named him second-team All-NBA as well.
But Morant isn’t done improving. He’s averaging a career-high 28.5 points per game thus far in 2022. And the Grizzlies currently boast a 14-9 record, good enough for fourth in the Western Conference.
While Irving got himself into trouble off the court, Morant has done the exact opposite. He made headlines by leaving a $500 tip at a diner in the offseason and is a media darling.
Nike’s next big superstar is here, and it appears he’s here to stay.