Report: DeMarcus Cousins' Puma Contract Official After Nike Declines to Match

Golden State Warriors big man DeMarcus Cousins is reportedly an official part of Team Puma.

According to Nick DePaula of ESPN.com, the multiyear deal Cousins signed with the apparel company became official Wednesday when Nike declined its right to match the offer. DePaula called Cousins the "most accomplished NBA player signed to Puma and [the] current face of the brand" as a result.  

On Oct. 8, DePaula reported Nike had 10 business days to match the multimillion-dollar deal.

DePaula noted the plan is for Cousins to wear the Puma Clyde Court Disrupt when he returns from the torn Achilles that sidelined him at the start of the season. The Clyde Court is Puma's first basketball shoe in almost 20 years, and Cousins gives the brand a marquee player on the league's defending champions to wear it.

This isn't the only notable move Puma has made within the past year, as it inked rookies Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Kevin Knox, Michael Porter Jr. and Zhaire Smith to deals in addition to veterans Terry Rozier and Rudy Gay.

What's more, Puma global director of brand and marketing Adam Petrick confirmed to Darren Rovell of ESPN in June that rapper and mogul Jay Z is now the company's creative director.

As for Cousins, he is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection who will play for a Warriors squad that figures to have a significant presence on national broadcasts during the playoffs.

Golden State is primed to win its fourth ring in five years with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, and adding an All-Star big man who can run up and down the court and dominate the boards to that group seems like a basketball cheat code.

Puma ensured its brand will be on full display during the NBA Finals if the Warriors live up to expectations and Cousins is healthy.