Star guard James Harden has been fined $100,000 for his comments related to 76ers head of basketball operations Daryl Morey, the NBA announced in a press release.
Harden called Morey “a liar” during a recent visit to China for an Adidas event, adding that he would never again play for the organization as long as Morey is heading basketball operations.
Harden requested a trade shortly after opting into his contract following the season. His comments about Morey were reportedly based on the idea that Harden would be traded quickly after his request, as we relayed here.
The NBA then launched an investigation and interviewed Harden.
It cited comments he made on August 14 and 17 in levying the fine. As Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT noted, Harden is receiving the maximum fine allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.
“I’ve been patient all summer,” Harden recently told Jason Bristol of KHOU-TV, implying he is waiting for his trade request to be met. “For me, it’s just focus on what I can control and that’s working out, staying in shape and getting ready for the season.”
James Harden fined $100,000, the max the league can fine a player. https://t.co/zB27pUVD8S pic.twitter.com/4lSS28MK05
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 22, 2023
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