James Harden joined Adidas last year in a highly publicized and big-money deal. It was part of an evolving series of moves for the apparel company that coincided with its backing away from the NBA's official licensing deal (Nike takes over in the 2017-2018 season) and shifting toward more star/style-centered approaches. It was also the same year that Adidas added hip-hop mogul/mega-celebrity/fashion king Kanye West and gave him his own shoe line.
Now Complex reports that Harden confirmed this week that he and West will collaborate on a version of Harden's signature shoe. From Complex:
James Harden: Yeah [we're going to do a shoe]. Me and 'Ye haven't had any conversations yet. I think it could possibly happen in the near future, especially with how well everything's going and how well he's doing with the Yeezys. I think everyone's excited about the wave that's coming: Off the court, fashion, and on the court. Dame, Kyle Lowry, Wigg, everyone's excited about everything that's going on.
Source: How Adidas' Biggest Athletes Feel About Kanye West Designing Their Shoes | Complex.
Until the shoe actually comes out, it's best to be skeptical about it happening, since not only have Harden and West not had any conversations about it, but West isn't known to be particularly reliable on such matters. The Yeezy Adidas Boost sold well and the company bragged about it in its earnings report last year.
Adidas has yet to release details on Harden's first signature shoe with the company but it is expected to first be released in December. So the Yeezy version could come sometime in 2017.
