In today’s Dub Hub:
- Steph Curry signs a 10-year, $400 million deal with Chinese shoe company Li-Ning, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
- Warriors continue to hold pre-draft workouts on Tuesday.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is reportedly expected to be resolved “over the next few weeks” prior to the NBA Draft, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Steph Curry officially announced his new partnership with Chinese shoe company Li-Ning on Monday, calling it the “partnership of a lifetime.” According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Curry’s agreement with Li-Ning is a 10-year deal, worth over $400 million, officially beginning a new chapter after previously spending the past 12 years with Under Armour.
While Li-Ning may not be as familiar to casual NBA fans as brands like Nike or Adidas, the company has quietly built a strong reputation within basketball circles over the years. The brand has found its most prominent success recently through Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade and his “Way of Wade” signature line. Li-Ning’s basketball roster also includes current NBA players such as Fred VanVleet, CJ McCollum, D’Angelo Russell, and Curry’s Golden State Warriors teammate, Jimmy Butler.
During Curry’s sneaker free agency throughout the 2025-26 season, he was frequently seen testing multiple brands on the court, including several Li-Ning models. YouTube basketball shoe reviewer Foot Doctor Zach recently discussed Curry’s decision to sign with Li-Ning, breaking down what may have gone into the big decision.
However, the most intriguing part of the partnership may be the length of the deal itself. A 10-year commitment at this stage of Curry’s career suggests he may be thinking beyond simply what shoes he will wear over the next few NBA seasons. Given the long-term success of Wade’s signature line well after his retirement, Curry could be viewing Li-Ning as an opportunity to continue expanding Curry Brand globally, long after his playing career eventually comes to an end.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, June 2nd:
Warriors News:
Sources: Stephen Curry signs $400M deal with China’s Li-Ning | ESPN
Curry opted for Li-Ning over other pitches from American and foreign companies despite similar financial commitments, including at least one brand that offered more, sources said. One factor in Curry’s ultimate decision was his comfort while testing the shoes of two Li-Ning signature athletes: Jimmy Butler, his fellow Warriors teammate, and Dwyane Wade.
Li-Ning plans to build Curry Brand stores in the United States and in China. Curry’s agent, Jeff Austin, finalized negotiations in recent days.
Max Kellerman draws wild Steph Curry-Chet Holmgren parallel after Spurs-Thunder | NBC Sports Bay Area
“What Wemby did to Chet, in a way, is what LeBron did to Steph, in [Game 6 of the 2016 Finals]” Kellerman said, referencing a viral moment in which James blocked Curry’s shot and appeared to stare him down afterward. “[James] blocked the shot and screamed on [Curry] and Steph…had his head hung. There was something in that moment where it was like…no, you’ve got to respond, you can’t let someone scream on you like that.”
Warriors conduct multiple pre-draft workouts on Tuesday
NBA News:
Monday Best: The NBA’s latest trade chatter | The Stein Line
The above backstory has only increased league curiosity about the Magic’s appetite to join the team widely perceived to be a leading contender in the Giannis Trade Sweepstakes — Orlando’s fellow Floridians on South Beach — in the chase for No. 34. More and more, with sources saying Miami and Portland are already in pursuit, Antetokounmpo’s future is increasingly expected to be resolved over the next few weeks in conjunction with NBA Draft proceedings.
First look at the NBA Finals court in San Antonio
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Former Warriors coach Rick Adelman dies at 79
The basketball lifer spent two seasons at the helm for the Warriors, coaching them to a 36-46 record in 1995-96, and a 30-52 record in 1996-97, before being fired. While those records aren’t very good, they were better than before he took over, as the Dubs went 26-56 the season before hiring Adelman.
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
