LSU Forward Ben Simmons Waiting On Nike Shoe Deal To See If He Gets Drafted By Lakers

by Pablo MenaMay 19, 2016, 12:28 pmNews >

Ben Simmons is projected by many to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, and since it remains unknown which team will end up selecting in that spot, Simmons is holding off on signing a sneaker deal with sports apparel giant Nike just in case the Los Angeles Lakers choose him.

Ben Simmons Waiting On Nike Shoe Deal To See If He Gets Drafted By Lakers

The Lakers came in at No. 2 in the Draft lottery on Tuesday.

Nike is offering $7.5 million over five years with fewer performance incentives than the adidas contract structure. The company is unwilling to change its current offer, sources stated.

Although the original strategy from Simmons and his Klutch Sports Group representation, as well as his agent Rich Paul, was thought to be a desire to sign a shoe deal prior to the draft lottery, they have now said they are not satisfied with Nike’s offer. They were hoping that if the Lakers landed the top overall pick — which they had a 19.9 percent chance of doing – Nike would move closer to matching Adidas’ offer.

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Simmons has a more lucrative offer on the table from Adidas, one that would pay him $10 million over five years and would include a $2 million signing bonus along with plenty of other incentives. But his representation (the same people who represent LeBron James) clearly want to seek a deal with Nike due to the existing relationship.

The 19-year-old LSU Tigers forward was also recently named Rookie of the Year.

Point guard D’Angelo Russell went to the Lakers last year as the second overall pick, and Nike upped its offer considerably to prevent Russell from signing with Adidas. Russell ended up agreeing to a deal worth $1.2 million annually.

The Draft will take place on June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

PHOTO: NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 11: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers dribbles the ball during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)