Mavs' Luka Dončić to Debut Classic Car-Inspired 'Luka 3' Shoe for 2024 NBA Playoffs
April 19, 2024
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić will debut a new design of the Jordan Luka 3 during the NBA playoffs, according to Boardroom's Nick DePaula.
The shoe will feature mint, purple and pink tones reminiscent of "a sports car's dashboard at night," DePaula wrote.
Nick DePaula @NickDePaulaEXCLUSIVE: A deep dive into the new Jordan Luka 3 — inspired by sports cars — which <a href="https://twitter.com/luka7doncic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Luka7Doncic</a> will debut for the NBA Playoffs.<br><br>"It's about the speed and control you need on the court, just like on the road," says Doncic.<br><br>New on <a href="https://twitter.com/boardroom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Boardroom</a>:<a href="https://t.co/OFUMajWz93">https://t.co/OFUMajWz93</a>
Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero will also receive a player-exclusive edition of the Luka 3, DePaula reported.
"This design being inspired by cars is fun," Dončić told DePaula. "It's about the speed and control you need on the court, just like on the road."
The shoes were inspired in particular by the custom 1968 Chevy Camaro Dončić owns, which boasts his Jordan signature logo beneath the hood, DePaula reported.
The Mavs star says he provided input on the shoe throughout the design process, according to Nick Remsen of Esquire.
"I have meetings with Jordan every few months," Dončić told Remsen. "They put options up on a screen, and I tell them what I like and what I don't like. It's how we get to the final product."
The shoe features Jordan brand's Isoplate, which is designed to keep the foot from moving inside the shoe, according to Nike. The frame is designed to be wider and lighter in the Luka 3 than in the previous edition of the sneaker, according to Hypebeast's Logan Fairbrother.
Dončić could be wearing the newest edition of his signature shoe Sunday as the Mavericks begin their 2023 playoff push against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Mavericks are looking for redemption after missing the postseason last spring, and Dončić looks like the player to lead them on a run. The five-time All-Star is led the NBA with 33.9 points per game, while averaging 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds, during the regular season.
Dončić signed a five-year contract extension with Nike's Jordan Brand in August, ensuring that his relationship with the brand runs through 2029, NBA insider Marc Stein reported.
His relationship with Jordan Brand dates back to December 2019, when Dončić became the brand's sixth official signature athlete following two years as a Nike-branded athlete while playing in Europe.
The Luka 3 marks the third edition of Dončić's signature shoe, following the unveiling of the Luka 2 last June.
