Philadelphia 76ers player James Harden reprimanded the team’s president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, in front of the public. The NBA has opened an investigation into the facts surrounding this incident.
James Harden: “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. 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.” pic.twitter.com/AmHJ0WwbF2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 14, 2023
According to sources, the league office is reportedly trying to determine whether Harden was violating the league’s CBA by implying a holdout in 2023–24 or had been referring to previous contract negotiations with the team that might have constituted salary cap circumvention.
However, sources claim that Harden has privately acknowledged that his Monday morning statements labelling Morey a “liar” were just a reaction to Morey terminating trade negotiations with the understanding that Harden would begin the season with the Sixers.
If that information were to be relayed to league officials, neither the Sixers nor Harden would be in breach of any league rules. Harden was notified by Philadelphia that it had failed to find a favourable trade with the LA Clippers, his preferred destination, and that it expected him to report to the team’s training camp in September. According to insiders, Harden plans to do just that. Harden has not claimed that a previous handshake agreement on a future contract with the Sixers existed, despite widespread rumours to the contrary.
During a Monday morning promotional appearance for his brand of Adidas basketball shoes in China, Harden referred to Morey as a “liar” and declared that he would “never be a part of an organisation that he’s a part of.”
Harden, who will be 34 this month, activated his $35.6 million option in June with the hope that Morey would help him find a trade to the Clippers, according to sources. Numerous discussions took place between the Sixers and Clippers, but no agreement was reached, according to sources.
The problem Morey has is whether to give in to Harden’s demand and keep MVP centre Joel Embiid as a member of a contending team next season. Morey is wary of making a trade, including Harden, that reduces Philadelphia’s prospects of contending in the future. If Harden isn’t satisfied, Morey runs the risk of the atmosphere being less focused on winning championships.
In his managerial tenure, Morey has acquired Harden twice through trades, including the one with Brooklyn in February 2022. However, that relationship has soured due to Harden’s dissatisfaction with his contract position.
A player option was included in the two-year, $68.6 million contract that Harden signed a year ago, allowing the team to sign two more seasoned players in the free agent market.
Following those transactions, the NBA looked into the Sixers and found evidence of early discussions with free agents P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, leading to the loss of two future second-round picks for the team. The NBA’s investigation did not turn up any proof that Harden’s acceptance of a one-plus-one contract led to talks or an agreement between Philadelphia and him on a future contract.
According to insiders, the Sixers have steadfastly refuted claims that they ever committed to a questionable future agreement with Harden or that they did agree to one before breaking it.
Harden, a 10-time All-Star and the 2018 NBA MVP, rose through the Houston Rockets’ system to become an All-NBA guard before making a trade request in 2021. He was transferred by the Rockets to the Netts, but there were never any hopes of a championship-calibre core there with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Because of his close personal and business links to Morey, Harden advocated for a trade to the 76ers in February 2022. When asked if his relationship with the Sixers was “beyond repair,” Harden responded, “I think so,” to a KHOU 11 television reporter in Houston on Thursday.
“I’ve been patient all summer,” said Harden. To prepare for this season, all I can do is concentrate on what I can manage.
With Harden giving below-par efforts in Games 6 and 7, Philadelphia lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi-final. In games that the Sixers won, games one and four, he scored 45 points and 42 points, respectively. In games two and six, however, the Sixers lost, and he made no 3-pointers. In Game 7, Harden scored nine points, including none in the second half.
The 76ers have recently faced a predicament like this under Morey. Ben Simmons, a former first-round pick, wanted a trade following a dispute with former coach Doc Rivers and team players. In the 2021 preseason camp, Simmons caused a certain amount of disruption, and he never played again for Philadelphia. Eventually, Simmons was exchanged for Harden and sent to the Nett’s.