lol, guys....
1) Addidas is handing out $100,000 to high schoolers so that they attend an addidas school, or "might" sign with addidas when they turn pro.
2) The AVERAGE shoe deal in the NBA is $250,000. Thats the average
guys like Hamidoe Diallo is less, but its still upwards of $100,000 on top of your salary
3) Only the top the guys get the "signature" deals (called Merch Deals) , like the Kobe's, Jordans, Curry, etc.
4) The lottery pick talents get upwards of $500,000 annually, and that's the type of players we recruit at UK. Lottery picks.
5) So forget the guys rated 20 to 40 coming out of high school. We're talking about the top 10 guys now. Guys like Carey and Wiseman. (formerly guys like Wall, Cousins, Davis). These are the guys we recruit, we sign, and Carey and Wiseman are 'next'.
6) Also remember this.....you can make money for other endorsements off of your 'likeness', not just shoes.
Examples:
Anthony Davis makes $11,000,000 a YEAR off of endorsements. Did you know he has endorsement contract with: Saks Inc.,
ExxonMobil,
Foot Locker,
Nike,
Red Bull ??
John wall makes $5,000,000 for endorsing New Era and Addidas
James Harden?? $200,000,000 = Addidas
Commercials for car lots, Sleep outfitters, icy hot, whatever. If you are a top high schooler and are next in line to be a lottery pick less than a year later, companies will line up to pay you while you are young and try to lock you into long term contracts for less money before you become big time. But that "less money" could be millions.
How about Dennis Smith jr...... had to think about it for a minute didnt you? he is not Lebron or Kobe, click this link to see how much his show deal is worth....its $6,000,000 for 3 years.
https://sports.yahoo.com/dennis-smi...ookie-sign-lucrative-shoe-deal-171027463.html
Here is an early list of last years rookies...(note: all of them have signed now)
https://hoopshype.com/2017/06/21/rookie-shoe-deal-nike-adidas-2017-nba-draft/
Remember, we are talking about the top guys, and that's who UK, Duke, Kansas, UNC sign. Forget the $125,000. Its the endorsement deals that will hook them. And they don't have to go to China to get them.