James Harden to soon pay a PRICE for publicly calling Daryl Morey a ‘liar’, claims NBA insider
NBA star James Harden fined for comments on 76ers' Morey.
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Daryl Morey and James Harden (Credits: NY Post)
NBA All-Star James Harden, currently part of the Philadelphia 76ers, has been handed a significant fine following his controversial remarks concerning Daryl Morey, the 76ers’ president of basketball operations. The league announced on Tuesday that Harden would face a $100,000 penalty for his outburst.
At an Adidas marketing event in China on August 14, Harden publicly criticized Morey, calling him a “liar” and expressing his reluctance to be associated with any organization Morey is involved with. These unexpected comments created a stir, leading to immediate media attention and subsequent league investigation.
Respected NBA journalists Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN were the first to break the news of the impending fine.
Clarifying his stance, Harden told NBA investigators that his remarks were in response to Morey’s promise of a quick trade once the player opted into his 2023-24 contract.
The trade scenario and James Harden’s season with the 76ers
The narrative behind Harden’s trade talks has been unfolding for some time now. In late June, Wojnarowski shed light on Harden’s decision to opt into a $35.6 million salary, signaling his willingness to collaborate with the Sixers for a potential trade. However, the anticipated trade did not take place.
Two weeks following these speculations, talks surrounding the Harden trade came to a standstill due to the lack of “traction” on any potential deals. ESPN sources highlighted that the 76ers had set a high asking price for the former NBA MVP, a bar many felt was too elevated to reach.
Daryl Morey, addressing the rumors, spoke to 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. He expressed that a trade involving Harden would only take place if it meant securing a top-tier player or assets that could be transformed into one, ensuring the 76ers remain in championship contention.
The dynamics of the situation are further complicated by Harden’s performance in the previous season. Acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022, the 10-time All-Star showcased his ability with an NBA-leading 10.7 assists per game and an average of 21.0 points in 58 games.
With the new season on the horizon, all eyes will be on Harden and the 76ers as they navigate these difficult times.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)