On Tuesday, the NBA fined veteran guard James Harden $100,000 for his recent comments about 76ers president Daryl Morey.
During an Adidas marketing event in China on Aug. 14, Harden told the crowd Morey is a “liar” and he “will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.” Harden decided to opt in to his $35.6 million player option for 2023-24 with the 76ers in June, with the expectation that he would be traded.
The NBA specified that the fine was a response to comments Harden made Aug. 14 and 17, “indicating that he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team.”
The NBA interviewed Harden as part of an investigation; specifically, the league was reportedly looking into whether Harden was “portending a 2023-24 holdout in violation of the league’s collective bargaining agreement or had been referencing past contract discussions with the organization” in an attempt to potentially circumvent the salary cap. Harden told NBA investigators his comments were in reference to Morey telling him the 76ers would trade him “quickly” after he opted in to his deal for the 2023-24 season. As a result, the league determined his comments referenced his “belief” that the 76ers would not accommodate his trade request.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 76ers ended trade talks involving Harden two weeks ago when no “traction” on a deal materialized and are planning to bring him to training camp. Harden was acquired by the 76ers from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022; he led the NBA with 10.7 assists per game and averaged 21.0 points in 58 appearances last season.
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