James Harden has hired a full time agent for the first time since 2017 in signing with Troy Payne.

Payne is a former Adidas executive who will partner with Mike Silverman and Brandon Grier to lead Equity Basketball.

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. Harden can become a free agent again this offseason.

Harden was previously represented by Rob Pelinka, who departed the agency side of the business to work in the front office of the Los Angeles Lakers. Harden then was represented by Brandon Rosenthal.

When Harden requested a trade from the Rockets in 2020, he retained Jason Ranne and Chafie Fields of Wasserman to help facilitate his eventual move to the Brooklyn Nets in January 2021.