James Harden’s ongoing standoff with the 76ers has raised loads of eyebrows across the NBA.
Maybe none extra notable than the league workplace, which is now taking motion.
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Within the wake of Harden’s gorgeous 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, based on ESPN.
Particularly, the league is investigating whether or not his warning of a possible holdout this season violates the NBA’s collective bargaining settlement or if Harden was referencing a possible try to assist the 76ers conduct unlawful wage cap circumvention, per the report.
Harden slammed Morey whereas talking at a press occasion in China for Adidas basketball on Monday, simply days after the 76ers reportedly shut down commerce discussions surrounding the 33-year-old star.
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I’ll by no means be part of an organisation that he’s part of,” Harden, who beforehand requested a commerce out of Philadelphia in June, mentioned in a video posted by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
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“Let me say that once more: Daryl Morey is a liar and I’ll by no means be part of an organisation that he’s part of.”
Harden has expressed privately, nonetheless, that his feedback have been a results of the 76ers’ choice and expectation he would begin the season with the group, per the report.
Harden, who was acquired by the 76ers within the blockbuster deal that despatched Ben Simmons to the Nets in the course of the 2021-22 season, is upset over the shortage of a long-term max contract provide from Philadelphia, based on ESPN, and is searching for a commerce elsewhere.
The Clippers are reportedly atop Harden’s wishlist.
He took a $15 million pay minimize final season with the 76ers and declined his $47.4 million participant possibility, as an alternative signing a deal that paid him $33 million for the season.
As such, he seemingly anticipated to be rewarded this low season, which has not materialised.
Harden and Morey have a historical past earlier than the 76ers, as they spent eight seasons along with the Rockets.
Morey introduced Harden to Houston in a 2012 commerce with the Thunder.
This story initially appeared on the New York Put up and has been reposted with permission