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NBA could intervene in escalating James Harden-Sixers showdown
What we have here is a failure to communicate.
The NBA reportedly could be pulled into the ongoing drаmа between the Philadelphia 76ers and All-Star point guard James Harden, who has made it clear he is done with the City of Brotherly Love and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.
According to Sports Illustrated, NBA insider Marc Stein reports, “There are now calls for the league to re-investigate Philly again to try to assess what Morey allegedly lied to Harden about. “If Harden is suggesting that the Sixers made some sort of contractual promise last summer—which the team has adamantly denied and maintains it was already cleared of doing—they will certainly be subject to league discipline.” Harden, 33, is unhappy with Morey over the lack of a long-term max contract offer, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Harden took a $15 million pay cut last July, signing a $33 million deal for the 2022-23 campaign after declining his $47.4 million player option with the Sixers. Rumblings of a rift between Harden and Morey swirled in June when the point guard picked up the $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season and stated his trade request, with the Los Angeles Clippers being his preferred destination.
On Saturday, Wojnarowski reported the Sixers ended trade talks regarding Harden and “plan to bring him back to training camp for start of the season.” In a video posted Monday by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Harden called Morey a “liar” while speaking at a press event in China with Adidas basketball.
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said. “Let me sаy that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.” When asked if it’s too late for Harden and the Sixers to patch things up, the former NBA MVP said, “I think so. “I’ve been patient all summer. For me, it’s just focus on what I can control and getting ready for this season.”