Michael Jordan’s Snub To Blockbuster Deal: Tracing Cavaliers Star’s Success Story With $36.72 Billion Company

During a private event in the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, Adidas unveiled a lineup of some signature shoe releases. Among these was the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Donovan Mitchell‘s 6th edition of his signature shoe with Adidas. The D.O.N Issue #6 is set to be released later this year. Spida’s journey with the multi-billion dollar brand started in 2017 during his rookie year. On 22nd June, Donovan was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the 2017 NBA Draft only to be traded to the Utah Jazz shortly after.

He then agreed to a multi-year shoe contract with Adidas on 11th July. Despite how things transpired for him, the initial consensus was that Donovan would be drafted by the Charlotte Hornets instead. After all, he worked out with the team during the pre-draft process. However, the 5X NBA All-Star now admits that he is happy with how things worked out the way they did.

Donovan would have missed out on a massive deal

On the Club 520 Podcast, Donovan reveals, “I was supposed to get drafted by Charlotte.” However, that meant he would have to sign with the Jordan Brand. This would naturally come with the contract because Michael Jordan was the franchise’s majority owner from 2010 until last year. But bigger things were waiting for Donovan after being drafted by Utah. He quickly inked a deal with Adidas after his draft and following his rookie season, he recalls, “Adidas ripped my contract up right after that and said we gonna give you a new one, we’re gonna give you a shoe.”

“I went from just being on the roster to next you know being a signature shoe within a year,” he adds. There was good reason for the $36.72 billion brand’s decision to propose a new contract. Donovan had blown everyone’s mind during his rookie season. Apart from winning the Slam Dunk Contest, he also clocked in the highest points (37) that year during the NBA Summer League. Donovan then broke Utah’s franchise record by scoring 41 points on 1st December against the Pelicans, the highest points scored by a rookie.

Spida was initially disappointed for not landing in Charlotte

All signs pointed toward Donovan being selected by the Hornets. So, he was confident about where he would land. However, things took a different turn. During an interview with the Charlotte Observer, Spida had said, “I thought I was coming here, to be honest with you. I thought I did (catch the Hornets’ eye), that I’d be drafted (11th overall to Charlotte). But it didn’t work out that way, and I’m happy where I’m at. But I definitely did get that feeling at the draft.”

Looking back on it now, everything worked out in his favor. Just after his rookie year, Donovan got a signature shoe deal with one of the biggest brands in the world, which is uncommon. Things would have turned out differently if he had landed in Charlotte.

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