C.J. McCollum could be the next player to leave Nike and sign with another shoe brand. The Portland Trail Blazers guard recently confirmed, via Jason Quick of NBC Sports, that he is currently in talks with Li Ning, as the Chinese brand is trying to sign him to become their latest endorser.

“In negotiations,’’ McCollum said.

Helping Li Ning reach out to him with a good pitch is McCollum’s teammate, Evan Turner, who has been with them since 2010. He gave their representatives some advice on how to talk to him, and make him interested in considering them as his next shoe and apparel sponsor.

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“I told (Li-Ning) if you want to talk to him, I wouldn’t come to him with a BS offer the first time around and close his ears off.’’ Turner said Wednesday.

“I guess they got the situation right, the money right, and I think CJ will be a great person for the brand.  He’s a talented individual on and off the court, so I think he will help the brand a lot.’’

It can be recalled that Li Ning rose to prominence when they signed their biggest star to date, Dwyane Wade, back in 2012, after his contract with Jordan brand expired. They are now starting to form their own team of endorsers, consisting of a good mix of young talents and NBA veterans as well.

For now, no deal has been struck yet, but it can be expected that McCollum will not remain a sneaker free agent for long, especially being the rising star that he is and being thought of as a very marketable player as well. All signs are also pointing to him agreeing to a partnership with Li Ning, as he already wore a pair of their shoes during their preseason opener on Tuesday.