James Harden’s ongoing standoff with the 76ers has raised plenty of eyebrows around the NBA.
Perhaps none more notable than the league office, which is now taking action.
In the wake of Harden’s stunning public admonishment of 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey as a “liar” on Monday, the NBA has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the matter, according to ESPN.
Specifically, the league is investigating whether his warning of a potential holdout this season violates the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement or if Harden was referencing a potential attempt to help the 76ers conduct illegal salary cap circumvention, per the report.
Harden slammed Morey while speaking at a press event in China for Adidas basketball on Monday, just days after the 76ers reportedly shut down trade discussions surrounding the 33-year-old star.
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden, who previously requested a trade out of Philadelphia in June, said in a video posted by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
“Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”
Harden has expressed privately, however, that his comments were a result of the 76ers’ decision and expectation he would start the season with the team, per the report
Harden, who was acquired by the 76ers in the blockbuster deal that sent Ben Simmons to the Nets during the 2021-22 season, is upset over the lack of a long-term max contract offer from Philadelphia, according to ESPN, and is seeking a trade elsewhere.
The Clippers are reportedly atop Harden’s wishlist.
He took a $15 million pay cut last season with the 76ers and declined his $47.4 million player option, instead signing a deal that paid him $33 million for the season.
As such, he seemingly expected to be rewarded this offseason, which has not materialized.
Harden and Morey have a history before the 76ers, as they spent eight seasons together with the Rockets.
Morey brought Harden to Houston in a 2012 trade with the Thunder.