The NBA just isn’t pleased with James Harden’s public statements concerning his future with the Philadelphia 76ers group.
The league is fining Harden $100,000 for “public commerce calls for” after he known as Sixers president Daryl Morey a “liar” whereas on a tour in China, including that he would by no means play for a corporation Morey was part of.
James Harden interacts with college students throughout his China tour on Aug. 13, 2023, in Shanghai. (Tang Yanjun/China Information Service/VCG by way of Getty Photos)
“The NBA introduced at the moment that Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for public feedback on August 14 and 17 indicating he wouldn’t carry out the companies known as for underneath his participant contract except traded to a different crew,” the NBA mentioned in an announcement Tuesday.
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On Saturday, the NBA launched an inquiry into the “circumstances” of the feedback, per ESPN.
The NBA was believed to be wanting into whether or not Harden was signaling a 2023-24 holdout in violation of the league’s CBA or “had been referencing previous contract discussions with the group that may represent wage cap circumvention,” in response to the report.
“The league’s investigation, which included an interview of Harden, confirmed that these feedback referenced Harden’s perception that the 76ers wouldn’t accommodate his request to be traded,” the league’s assertion continued.
Daryl Morey, president of basketball operations, poses with James Harden throughout a press convention on Feb. 15, 2022, at Philadelphia 76ers Coaching Advanced in Camden, New Jersey. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photos)
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Harden’s feedback in China got here two days after the 76ers reportedly ended commerce talks for the 10-time All-Star.
“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I’ll by no means be part of a corporation that he’s part of,” Harden mentioned. “Let me say that once more – Daryl Morey is a liar, and I’ll by no means be part of a corporation that he’s part of.”
When talking with KHOU 11 in Houston final Thursday, Harden was requested whether or not it was too late to restore the connection.
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James Harden and Daryl Morey of the Philadelphia 76ers throughout a press on Feb. 15, 2022, in Camden, New Jersey. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Photos)
“I believe so,” Harden replied.
The connection between Harden and the group has quickly deteriorated since Philadelphia misplaced a 3-2 sequence result in the Boston Celtics within the second spherical of the NBA playoffs.
Harden picked up his $35.6 million participant choice with the membership within the offseason, and the Sixers started exploring commerce eventualities.
