The NBA has fined Sixers star James Harden $100K, the league announced today in a press release (Twitter link).
The fine is in response to Harden’s recent comments in which he referred to Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey as a “liar” and said he had no intention of being part of an organization that Morey is a part of, as well as a follow-up interview in which he stated that he thinks his relationship with the franchise is “beyond repair.”
“(Harden) has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for public comments on August 14 and 17 indicating that he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team,” the NBA’s statement reads. “The league’s investigation, which included an interview with Harden, confirmed that these comments referenced Harden’s belief that the 76ers would not accommodate his request to be traded.”
Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT first reported (via Twitter) that Harden was on the cusp of receiving a substantial fine from the league, while ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link) was the first to report it would be worth $100K.
After Harden called Morey a liar during a promotional appearance in China, the NBA launched an investigation to determine what the former MVP’s comments were referring to and to ascertain whether he intends to hold out this fall.
There had been some speculation that Harden was suggesting he and the Sixers reached a handshake agreement during his 2022 free agency on a contract to be finalized in 2023 and that Morey reneged on that agreement. If the NBA found proof of such an agreement, the 76ers would have faced a significant punishment of their own.
However, there has been no indication that Harden was talking about his contract situation when he said Morey lied. As Shams Charania of The Athletic reports, Harden informed league investigators that he called Morey a liar because the Sixers president told the veteran guard he’d be traded “quickly” after he asked to be moved in June.
That obviously hasn’t happened, and recent reporting has suggested that Philadelphia is no longer engaging in trade talks involving Harden. But since the Sixers have no obligation to trade a player who asks to be moved, they’re not in violation of any league rules and won’t face any discipline from the NBA at this time.
On the other hand, as Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets, the league has the ability to fine a player a maximum of $100K (up from $50K in the previous CBA) for “conduct or statements prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball.” The NBA apparently determined that Harden’s statements fit that bill.
According to The Athletic, Sixers owner Josh Harris said on Monday that he’s working to convince Harden to remain in Philadelphia, but isn’t closing the door on a trade.
“I respect James. I want to, obviously, accommodate what he wants,” Harris said. “At the same time, I have to think about a championship-contending team, what we can get back. I’d love to convince him to stay. I understand that that’s not what he wants to do right now.
“I’m going to keep working to resolve it in a way that everyone can live with and is positive for everyone, whatever that resolution is. … I respect him as a basketball player, and as a person. It’s back to, these are, you’re dealing with people, right? And you’ve got to be there. We’ll see where it comes out.”
slap on the wrist. Nothing will change.
Does this app force other people to login before making a comment, EVERYTIME!?
Not for me
Google hit me with adds. Made it unable for me to click on to comment. Ridiculous. I had to go DuckDuckGo….
I got the ads too earlier…looks like it finally cleared up on my end….hopefully just a short term glitch
anyone else experiencing ads covering large portions if the post
Not me but I use the website and not the app.
Yep. They’re covering the articles text on my end.
I can’t read half the article
Yeah, these ads are unbearable
Yes, on my iPhone. But I was able to scroll past it on my laptop.
Apologies, we’re working to fix that issue.
I believe it’s only affecting the mobile site, so the desktop version or the app should work as alternatives.
Yep. This site is literally unusable from mobile now. Hopefully they work it out quickly..
Yes, but its only the top comment.
Usually isn’t worth reading anyways..So, I’m guessing not a huge loss..lol
Android user visiting website
I see no ads with uBlock Origin browser extension.
I see noooothing!
Yes, while also depriving a worthy site of ad revenue.
I use uBlock Origin myself, but I at least turn it off for the sites without terrible ads and who I know to be of good quality.
Welcome to communism
Hell yeah my comrade!
Exactly…I’m no fan and hate the constant trade requests every season. But speaking out against the league/team should not lead to a fine. Next step is jail when you speak out against the regime publically lol sheesh
Given up on defending Ja so you’re now going to bat for Harden, Kurtis? By some point you need to realize that you’re always picking the losing side. Also, you have very poor taste in players that you adore. Any time one does anything off the court that level-headed people find bothersome, you start to simp for them.
Joe Smith 2.0
Harden is really testing the limits on the players can ask for a trade movement. He keeps this up and he’ll ruin a good thing when the next cba comes around.
Yeah they didn’t ask for trades back in the day, especially to preferred destinations. You wouldn’t have seen someone like Chamberlain hold three franchises hostage until he got the most money he could then force a trade to the Lakers. Jabbar would’ve never given the Bucks a list of teams he requested to traded to for cultural reasons, I mean this kinda stuff just didn’t happen.
Thank you my friend Luke
Harden just ripped off 16,000 Chinese who bought his grape juice, 100,000 is pocket change.
Good, he deserves it.
He’s exhausting. Didn’t have to opt in, had a choice, but greed won out and still wanted his way. They, being the Sixers, don’t have to do anything and I can respect the Sixers position.
Harden could have just opted out and completely screwed the 76ers. They would still be $22 million over the cap with no other way to acquire a replacement PG other than signing someone to vet’s minimum, at least by opting im he remains a trade asset.
Ok, then be ready for the inevitable Embiid trade request…which is coming soon.
If the Sixers do nothing, they lose and eventually lose Embiid. Tanking again, this season is not a good idea.
Harden will get paid next year, so no worries.
Sixers also didn’t have to offer him the original contract. But they did. Interesting how you only blame the back guy
Bruh you think this is about race? You’re the biggest clown on here. I’m black and unlike some people I don’t just blindly stick up for someone when they do something wrong because I think it’s racial
So, the Sixers say he’s not worth an extension but refuse to trade him unless they get the type of player that is worth the money. That front office is straight Trash, from the owner on down. If he’s not worth paying, then he’s not worth an all-star package in any trade.
Why are they trash? He opted in. He could’ve walked. No one forced him. Did it on his own.
I am still taking Harden in this battle. He will be traded.
Now he can do what he wants, get fat, shoot bad shots, dribble all day, complain to the refs. Philly really has no idea what he can do to destroy their team.
100k. LOL , Morey is a such a fool. I do hope he stays with Philly, I mean Morey, he is the best chance of the Sixers being terrible for a long long time.
Morey could have Dame right now, but he is such a fool he thinks Harden will come back and make up…
From the sounds of it it seems Morey may have told Harden something like “opt in and I’ll trade you so you get paid and we get something back”. and Harden’s frustrated with how long it’s taking. In fact the Clippers seem to have lost interest as they made their offer and they have really no way to make it any better then a couple firsts, Norman Powell and salary filler.
Glad to see that rules only apply in certain situations to certain people. Sorry Minnesota…
That’s a big old who cares burger. Fine Dame. Fine the Heat for colluding with his agent. Fine Ben Simmons just cuz he a bum. Fine KAT for the same reason. Give MVP to Gino and give Embiid a swirly.
I just solved the NBA…don’t @ me
@
why are you people siding with the billionaires that treat us all as pawns?
Because Harden is part of their slimy class now that he has shown his greed…
But the clowns that sign him to contracts enable that
You mean the one he’s not happy with even though he signed it…? Tell me more.
Not sufficient, but for a wimp like Silver it’s more than I expected. Another breach (yes, children, that’s what this is) should lead to a suspension. Assuming Silver can turn his attention away from his precious in-season tournament to focus on it.
Harden should be suspended without pay until he shows up for work…
These fines are nothing but pocket change for these millionaires… It won’t change how they act unless they can feel the punishment.
Morey should be fired for signing him to a contract. But you know, only blame the black guy. Typical
Yea because according to clowns like you, Ja is only in trouble because he’s black
Ja is in trouble because he thinks he is a gangster. Ja if he doesn’t grow up will find out he isnt.
Don’t see why they felt the need to fine him. He can say what he wants. Until he doesn’t show up for work, let him be. Don’t agree with him at all, but let’s be fair…
No fine for Morey/Sixers and Harden colluding in 2022 when Harden opted out of $47.3 million to sign a lesser deal?
Lol fine for colluding to take LESS money that’s a new one. Harden is overpaid at 36 million, he found that out when he perused the free agent landscape. No takers and opted in. Morey did him a solid by agreeing to attempt to trade him, not give him away.
Well at least now we know. He’s not coming back. I know Moreyon is a fool. But Sixers shouldn’t want any part of Harden now. He’s gotta be traded now …
I don’t see a future for Philly …. Embiid is next
Probably just need a vision exam