There may be a Houston angle. There might not be. But former Rockets icon James Harden, who can become a free agent in July, has reportedly hired a full-time agent for the first time since 2017.
“Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden — who can enter free agency in July — has hired former Adidas executive Troy Payne of Equity Basketball as his first full-time agent since 2017,” renowned NBA insider Shams Charania tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.
Charania elaborates further in a story available at The Athletic.
The context relevant to the Rockets, of course, is the widespread reporting in recent months that has suggested Harden is seriously considering a return to the Rockets in 2023 free agency.
While changes in representation often suggest that a player is approaching a career inflection point, it’s important to note there are possibilities beyond switching teams. For example, even if Harden wanted to stay in Philadelphia, it isn’t a given a player who turns 34 years old in August can extract the maximum possible contract length from the Sixers. An agent could help in those negotiations.
But there are certainly other options, as well, and the Rockets — who are positioned to have salary cap room well in excess of the NBA’s maximum salary — are clearly among them for Harden.
Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden – who can enter free agency in July – has hired former Adidas executive Troy Payne of Equity Basketball as his first full-time agent since 2017.
Details at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/cmFLW7rabt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 14, 2023
