Advertisement

Deandre Ayton lands new deal with Puma

hoopshype
·5 min read

After first signing on with Puma in 2018 to help re-launch its basketball category, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has landed a new multi-year footwear and apparel endorsement deal to continue his partnership with the brand. “It’s pretty lit. It’s truly a blessing as well,” Ayton said. “The reason I signed with Puma from the beginning, is I wanted to be different.”
Source: Nick DePaula @ ESPN

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It’s been crazy, but we know what’s going on in the world.”
Cameron Payne as #Suns were without Monty Williams, Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder as all three are under #NBA health and safety protocols. pic.twitter.com/w5tFYtes1O – 12:28 AM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“The bank 3 surprised everybody.”
Jalen Smith didn’t call it, but that was part of his career high 15-point night as Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder were out under health and safety protocols. #Suns pic.twitter.com/3DN3mkpeOe – 12:16 AM

Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
To say that the Suns have missed DeAndre Ayton against Steven Adams would be a massive understatement. – 11:18 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
I’d hesitate to make any sweeping declarations about this game other than “Yes, Deandre Ayton and Monty Williams are very good at what they do.” – 10:41 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Grizzlies 60 #Suns 48 H.
PHX: Booker 12, Smith 10. Bridges 2 (1-of-1 FG). Team: 38.6% FG (3-of-14 3s). No Monty Williams, Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder (health/safety)
MEM: Desmond Bane 19, Morant 12. Team: 52.2% FG (5-of-16 3s) No Dillon Brooks, De’Anthony Melton (health/safety) – 10:11 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Emanuel Terry is in the building.
#Suns signed him to 10-day contract as Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder are in #NBA health and safety protocols.
He’s on the bench
Terry played two games for #Suns in that 2018-19 season, second worst in franchise history. – 9:49 PM

Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
It’s hard to predict how tonight’s gonna go.
The NBA is even weirder than usual under the circumstances right now, but the Suns have been a terrible matchup for Memphis since last year, and they won by 25 without Ayton in their last matchup.
Oh what the heck, Grizz by 10. – 8:58 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Official:
Cam Johnson starting for Jae Crowder (health and safety protocols).
JaVale McGee starting for Deandre Ayton (health and safety protocols) #Suns – 8:36 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
A little tribute for Deandre Ayton from Devin Booker. Took a few cracks at Ayton’s patented halfcourt granny shot.
Real friends, how many of us pic.twitter.com/2IJTvtWOq0 – 8:21 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns Pulse: Phoenix looks to bounce back after #Christmas loss to Warriors as head coach Monty Williams and starters Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder are under #NBA health and safety protocols
#Suns lead assistant Kevin Young is coaching in place of Williams https://t.co/ZxMduZtSTW pic.twitter.com/2PuBK3x2nR – 8:18 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Usually a crowded last group pregame of Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker and Jae Crowder but just Book tonight pic.twitter.com/ag3Ztz41dS – 8:16 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Young isn’t sure who’ll start for Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder, but you got to think JaVale McGee starts for Ayton.
As for Crowder, I’m thinking Cam Johnson, but Young may go with Shamet for 3-guard look.
He started for Devin Booker when he was out.
Thoughts? #Suns – 7:37 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Acting head coach Kevin Young said the Suns aren’t sure who they’re going to start yet in place of Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder – 7:19 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix #Suns: Monty Williams, Deandre Ayton placed under #NBA health and safety protocols https://t.co/fLiK5bxkmx via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/LIcbg34Mhu – 6:46 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Jae Crowder and Elfrid Payton yesterday.
Head coach Monty Williams and Deandre Ayton today.
#Suns are adding to the list of #NBA players and coaches under the league’s health and safety protocols. pic.twitter.com/8TxtD1dMSC – 6:42 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns out tonight so far:
Deandre Ayton (H&S protocols)
Jae Crowder (protocols)
Monty Williams (protocols)
Frank Kaminsky (right knee stress reaction)
Abdel Nader (right knee injury management)
Dario Saric (ACL rehab)
Elfrid Payton (protocols)
Ish Wainright (low back soreness) – 5:54 PM

The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Suns C Deandre Ayton has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, per @Adrian Wojnarowski. pic.twitter.com/YWD3G7IbYk – 5:45 PM

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has entered Covid protocols, sources tell ESPN. – 5:40 PM

More on this storyline

The new deal, negotiated by Innovate Sports Group, is expected to place Ayton among the league’s top-3 highest paid athletic brand endorsers at the center position. While Puma has been finding its footing in the hoop space after a nearly two-decade hiatus from landing any NBA endorsers, Ayton has long had an affinity and familiarity with the company. “Growing up in the Bahamas, the first brand really that I wore was Puma. That’s all we saw was Puma,” he said. “A guy like Usain Bolt, who I looked up to as a star of the Caribbean and the face of the Caribbean when it comes to sports, that’s the only thing that he was reppin’. Puma was everywhere.” -via ESPN / December 28, 2021