Mavericks media day on Monday signaled a countdown of sorts to the start of the 2019-20 NBA season. And when the season begins, Luka Doncic might well be wearing a different brand of sneaker and apparel.

The News learned that the two-year contract Doncic signed with Nike during his final season at Real Madrid expired Monday. So, too, did Nike's 180-day window in which it could match the highest bidder and keep Doncic.

When The News asked Doncic about his shoe and apparel contract status Monday, he smiled.

"Yeah, I'm a free agent now," he said. "So we'll see what we do."

From all appearances, the timing of Doncic's "free agency" could not be more ideal. In late July, New Orleans rookie Zion Williamson agreed to a five-year, $75 million shoe deal with Jordan Brand.

If Williamson, this season's prohibitive Rookie of the Year favorite, is worth $75 million, what is reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Doncic worth? If NBA-unproven Williamson is worth $15 million per year, it seems a given that Doncic's shoe and apparel annual average will easily surpass the $7.68 million he will make for playing with the Mavericks.

After all, Doncic is coming off a season that, statistically, was the best since Oscar Robertson's rookie year of 1960-61, with averages of 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists.

Doncic also has world appeal. He fluently speaks four languages. The 4.24 million All-Star fan votes he received last season trailed only LeBron James' 4.62 million and Giannis Antetokounmpo's 4.37 million.

Doncic also plays with flare, most notably his step-back 3-pointers and savvy passing. And, yes, he's also known for wearing colorful sneakers.

"For me, it's so important because, as you know, I love shoes," Doncic told The News Monday. "I have so many shoes. It's very important, this deal.

"First of all, if the shoe is good for my feet, to have a long career. But, yeah, the look, too."