The NBA has launched an investigation to shed light on James Harden’s public comments about Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Money, Adrian Wojnarowski has learned from the network. ESPN.
The league office is reportedly investigating whether Harden was considering opting out of the 2023-24 season or if he was referring to past contract discussions with the organization that may have amounted to a circumvention of salary rules, sources say. .
Nonetheless, Harden privately indicated that his public comments Monday morning, when he called Morey a “liar,” were made in response to Morey ending talks for a trade with the expectation that Harden would begin the transaction. season with the Sixers, sources say.
Neither the Sixers nor Harden would violate league regulations if this finding were reported to the NBA.
The 76ers informed Harden that they had not found a sufficient trade opportunity with the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden’s preferred destination, and that they expected him to report to training camp. of the team in September. A few sources believe that Harden intends to report to camp. Despite speculation, Harden has made no allegation regarding a verbal agreement with the Sixers on a future contract.
At an Adidas publicity event in China on Monday morning, Harden called Morey a “liar” and said “he would never be part of any organization that Morey is part of.”
Harden, who will soon turn 34, used his $35.6 million option year for the 2023-24 campaign in June, hoping Morey would negotiate with him to find a trade with the Clippers, according to reports. sources. The 76ers and Clippers had many conversations, but they never came close to a deal.
Morey, who is reluctant to trade his star player since it would drastically reduce the Sixers’ chances of going for the title next season, faces the dilemma of meeting Harden’s demands or keeping him alongside Joel Embiid. Morey, however, would risk a disgruntled Harden creating an unhealthy environment for a team chasing top honors.
Morey has acquired Harden twice in his career, including in February 2022 from the Brooklyn Nets, but the relationship has soured since Harden became unhappy with his contract situation.
Harden signed a two-year, $68.6 million contract a year ago that included an option year. This contract allowed the Sixers to sign two additional veterans on the free agent market.
After these agreements, the NBA concluded that the 76ers had had premature conversations with PJ Tucker and Danuel House – which deprived the organization of two future second-round picks. The league, however, found no evidence that Philadelphia and Harden were able to discuss or agree on a future contract.
The 76ers have continually dismissed the idea that the organization illegally agreed to a future contract with Harden, or a possible contract renegotiation, sources say.
2023-08-19 13:03:00
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