76ers’ James Harden hires ex-Adidas executive Troy Payne as first full-time agent since 2017

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden will be represented by Troy Payne, a former Adidas executive who is partnering with agents Mike Silverman and Brandon Grier to lead Equity Basketball. Payne, Silverman and Grier are now the agents for Harden, who signed a two-year contract with the 76ers last offseason and has the ability to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

For Harden, the new representation marks his first full-time agency partnership since 2017, when his then-agent Rob Pelinka left the space to become the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers. Payne, who was selected in the NBA D-League (now G League) Draft in 2011 and played for the National Basketball League’s New Zealand team in 2013-14, served as an Adidas executive from 2016 to 2022.

Harden declined his $47.4 million player option last summer to return to the 76ers on a two-year, $68 million with a player option for next season. His decision to take a pay cut of nearly $15 million for this season gave the 76ers the financial flexibility to sign forwards P.J. Tucker and Danuel House using the mid-level and bi-annual exceptions.

Harden, 33, has averaged 21.5 points, 10.8 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game this season, providing a perfect co-star with Joel Embiid and helping lead the 76ers to the third seed in the Eastern Conference so far with a 37-19 record. Harden is shooting 38.8 percent from 3-point range this season, his best percentage since 2011-12.

Equity Basketball is a division of Equity Sports, a multi-sport agency that represents Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France and professional BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester.