Will the KD Brand make it's move closer to home?: Under Armour?

In a 2013 article via NBCSports, the conversation was brought up in an interview with 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant about his future and where stands in the NBA, in reference to LeBron James. Before this past MVP, LeBron had received the MVP 4 out of the past 5 years, besides that incredible year that Derrick Rose had.

Many people don't look at that situation as something big but with Derrick Rose becoming MVP, he was given the opportunity to do something with Adidas that helped their basketball market. During that year Adidas increased their market by showing Nike that they can produce a high profile athlete in basketball like they have done in previous years such as Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, LeBron James and now Kevin Durant.

The only other time that I can remember even a close impact of a brand in basketball besides Nike, was Allen Iverson with Reebok. The year Iverson won MVP, he was able to do something with sports that most people could not even understand how he was doing it without the presentable image like others. Well, Iverson went on to get one of the greatest deals with Reebok and help keep the brand above waters. Things have slightly changed lately where other brands have tried to take their leap into the "pool of sports apparel scare".

This pool was created by Nike, when took their brand from one level to separating themselves in a large distance in income in the America. Nike controls over 90% of the market for basketball apparel in the world and it doesn't seem as though, they are willing to slow down. This brings upon a thought that might be running through KD's head, referring back to that article written in 2013.

Maybe it's time for KD to spread his wings and become that guy for his own brand. Even though KD was given a brand, they didn't really give him his leadership. LeBron is known as the leader of Nike following Michael Jordan. There has always been other guys but the question is, will LeBron ever stop? Since it doesn't seem like LeBron will, the next question is, now that KD has a MVP and a larger buzz, can he market himself somewhere else and remain strong?

Nike has does a lot for KD, but KD has changed his image. People are starting to look at him as the guy that is seriously going to challenge LeBron in every aspect and that's what the fans want to see. It's helpful for LeBron's brand and also KD's. So is Under Armour, Baltimore based football noted brand, the image he could go to and create that same image that Iverson did with Reebok and Rose is doing with Adidas. Durant's contract is up at the end of the week. There is no telling what he will do, but he does have a large thought ahead of him and I know it's not helping when endorsements are following you around while trying to get ready for the FIBA games in Spain.

This could definitely be a great fit for him, especially knowing that last year he signed with Jay-Z founded, Roc Nation Sports, who has a genius for coming up with ways to help expand athletes such as Skylar Diggins, CC Sabathia, Robinson Cano, Victor Cruz and others. With the right support, this move could definitely be powerful for them and himself with him being from the DMV area.