REPORTS: Jimmy Butler in Negotiations with Several Footwear Brands

Jimmy Butler has led the Miami Heat to a dream playoff run. They have lost just one game throughout the playoffs and have been the lower seed in each matchup. The bubble is purely about basketball, and the Heat are winning when it comes to just the fundamentals of the game.

Their stellar performance was primarily achieved through the grounded play of the burgeoning superstar, Jimmy Butler. Butler isn’t an athletic specimen or a supremely talented player, but just skilled and hardworking. He epitomizes the gritty culture of Miami and has led them to the conference finals after six years.

Butler is currently a sneaker free-agent after he requested that his deal with the Jordan brand be terminated earlier this year. A lot of brands are courting Butler, and his performances in the playoffs have increased his value. According to Nick DePaula, Butler is part of ongoing negotiations for a multi-year sneaker deal with multiple brands.

Jimmy Butler and his possible destinations for a shoe deal

Signing Butler won’t be easy, especially now that his value is higher. However, many companies will have their hat in the ring. One of the biggest names in the mix would be Puma. Puma also boasts a deep football clientele, including Butler’s friend Neymar. Working with him may be an attractive prospect for Butler with Puma.

The growing market of basketball shoes means Butler has some other options. This also includes New Balance, the shoe company Kawhi Leonard is the face of. If not New Balance, there is always the rising Chinese brand Li-Ning. Dwyane Wade has his own ‘Way of Wade‘ collection there. Maybe the Miami Heat legend could entice Jimmy into joining him there.

Jordan is still on the table, but it is unlikely that Butler will return to a deal with them. If he wants to be a major acquisition to a shoe company, Butler might get lost in the bloated Jordan brand roster. But there are so many viable options outside the traditional heavyweights, that Butler could still end up in a good place. Much like his career, Butler doesn’t get handed the superstar situation. He creates it for himself.