Jalen Green Ditches Adidas, Becomes Suns' Sneaker Free Agent

Merlin sees Jalen Green entering the season as a sneaker free agent after turning down a "lucrative multi-year" extension from Adidas. That matters because Green, newly in Phoenix after the Kevin Durant trade, becomes "one of the NBA's top current sneaker free agents" — a high-profile player who can boost any brand and will "highlight his style by wearing a variety of sneaker companies" to start the year. Merlin notes the timing is perfect: Green’s signature logo already debuted on the Adizero 3.0 in January, but his move to the Suns raises his market value and visibility. Expect brands to court him aggressively while he samples options on court, giving him real leverage to land a richer, more bespoke deal once the market settles.