The Sixer Sense
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Why did Philadelphia 76ers’ James Harden just hire an agent?

By Jonathan Geib

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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On Tuesday, it was reported by Shams Charania that James Harden hired an agent in advance of his upcoming free agency this summer. Harden has a player option for next season, but this move all but assures he will opt out of his current contract and seek a lucrative, longer-term deal in free agency.

This news seemed to slip under the radar in the media and why shouldn’t it? An NBA player hiring an agent before negotiating a contract is not normally front-page news. There is a key difference here though; Harden has not employed a full-time agent since 2017. Harden also negotiated his most recent contract this past off-season with the Philadelphia 76ers without a full-time agent.

Why did Harden hire an agent now?

Harden’s new agent is Troy Payne, who was previously an executive at Adidas, a company Harden has a 13-year, $200 million shoe contract with that was originally signed in 2015. There is no doubt that Harden’s Adidas relationship impacted his decision in hiring Payne.

The news of Harden hiring Payne is all the more interesting because of the seemingly breaking news that Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Christmas Day of 2022.

Before this Woj bomb, there was no indication that Harden was unhappy with the Philadelphia 76ers or looking to move on from the team this off-season. He is playing at an All-Star caliber level and fits perfectly alongside Joel Embiid. Why would Harden want to leave a franchise that likely will be in title contention for the foreseeable future to go to the Rockets, who are one of the worst teams in the NBA?

My favorite sports commentator Tony Kornheiser often refers to a quote Don Ohlmeyer, a mentor of his once told him: “The answer to all of your questions is money.” And that is the answer to why Harden would leave the Sixers after this year, for more money.

Harden is an aging guard and history has not been kind to franchises that sign players in their mid-thirties to long-term contracts. There are cautionary tales all over the league. This move by Harden to sign an agent proves he will be going all in on getting his money this summer and will likely not consider a team-friendly deal like he did last off-season with the Sixers.

This could force the Sixers to make an extremely difficult decision: pay a 33-year-old a four-year max deal that hamstrings future team payroll or watch Harden walk out of the door for nothing and be left searching for a replacement to help this team win a title.