Trae Young opened the Atlanta Hawks’ season Wednesday night wearing the Air Jordan 39 rather than his own Adidas signature following reports that the German brand has decided to end his signature line.
Young had previously been photographed wearing Anta sneakers in a Hawks pre-season practice after wearing the Adidas Trae Young 3 for his Media Day obligations. Renderings for the Trae Young 4, which would be his final Adidas sneaker, have leaked along with a reported spring 2025 release date.
Adidas is planning to end Young’s signature line following his fourth sneaker, according to a September report from Sole Retriever. Young has been an Adidas athlete for his entire NBA career, beginning with his rookie year in 2018, and a contract extension signed in 2020 saw his signature line begin a year later. His most recent sneaker, the Trae Young 3, launched in August 2023.
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Representatives for Adidas didn’t respond to a request for comment for Footwear News’ initial story on Young wearing Anta, and FN has reached out to the brand again Thursday. This post will be updated if a comment is given.
The Trae Young 1 debuted during a period of ascendency for the Hawks point guard, as he helped the team to a surprise appearance in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. He was then named to the All-NBA Third Team the following season and was selected for the All-Star Game for the third time this year, but the Hawks haven’t won a playoff series since 2021 and missed the postseason altogether in 2024.
Anthony Edwards is now poised to be Adidas’ marquee basketball star — if he isn’t already. His first signature sneaker, which has been called (somewhat confusingly) both the AE 1 and Anthony Edwards 1, has been widely praised and sold out in the first several colorways released at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024.
Edwards’ boisterous Adidas ads have also drawn attention, including a new spot from this week that drew a subliminal response from Nike.
The Hawks won the season-opener with a 120-116 score over the Brooklyn Nets, with Young putting up 30 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
