76ers’ James Harden hires ex-Adidas executive Troy Payne as first full-time agent since 2017
Andrew Mccoy 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.
Advertisement
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.
Required reading
(Photo: Eric Hartline / USA Today)