During the NBA Summer League Game on July 6, 2025, the Dallas Mavericks faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring two rising stars, Cooper Flagg and Bronny James. Flagg, the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and James, a sophomore with a legacy in the league, showcased their skills while donning their respective sneaker brands.
Sneaker Choices Reflect Brand Alliances
Cooper Flagg has quickly become a prominent figure in the basketball world, recently signing a multi-year deal with New Balance in August 2024. This partnership highlights Flagg as the future face of the brand, which has initiated a marketing campaign touting its products as “the intelligent choice.” Although Flagg does not yet have a signature line, he wore the New Balance Hesi Low v2 in the “Electric Sky with Light Chrome Blue and White” colorway during the game. Priced at $110, these shoes have sold out in most sizes on the New Balance website.
In contrast, Bronny James represented Nike by wearing the Nike LeBron 20 in the “Drew League” colorway. This model, which was first unveiled by his father, LeBron James, during a standout performance in 2022, is only now becoming widely available to consumers after a lengthy production cycle. While the Nike LeBron 20 has seen its production conclude, it remains a fan favorite, especially with the upcoming releases of LeBron’s 21st and 22nd signature shoes, as well as the anticipated Nike LeBron 23 coming this fall.
Performance and Future Matchups
While neither player had a standout performance in the game, the matchup drew significant interest from basketball enthusiasts, eager to witness a clash between two of the sport’s most talked-about athletes and their shoe brands. The event took place in Las Vegas, a city known for hosting high-profile basketball events, further adding to the excitement surrounding the encounter.
Fans can expect to see more matchups between Flagg and James as they continue to develop their careers in the NBA. Each player’s sneaker choices not only reflect their personalities but also their affiliations with major brands, making these showdowns even more captivating for supporters of the sport.
For ongoing coverage of basketball footwear and related news, fans can follow updates from sources like Sports Illustrated’s Kicks On SI.
This encounter serves as a reminder of the growing influence of sneaker culture in the basketball world, with each player representing not just their teams but also the brands that are shaping the future of sportswear.
