James Harden has been fined $100,000 through the NBA for his “public comments on August 14 and 17 indicating that he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team,” the NBA announced on Tuesday. 

“The league’s investigation, which included an interview of Harden, confirmed that these comments referenced Harden’s belief that the 76ers would not accommodate his request to be traded,” the league’s commentary concluded. 

Next on Tuesday, the Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation issued a commentary disagreeing with the ruling and promising to problem it.

“We respectfully disagree with the league’s decision to discipline James Harden for recent comments he made, which we believe do not violate the rule against public trade demands,” the gamers’ union’s commentary stated. “We intend to file a grievance and have the matter heard by our Arbitrator.”

For reference, here’s what Harden stated at an match in China on Aug. 14. 

“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said to a room stuffed with community in a video got through Shams Charania. “Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be part of an organization that he’s a part of.”

It could seem that the a part of that remark that truly were given Harden in hassle, much more so than calling Morey a liar, used to be when he adopted up through announcing “will never be a part of an organization that [Morey is] a part of.” 

Translation, until Morey is fired, Harden received’t play games for the Philadelphia 76ers — which is fascinating taking into consideration the truth that in June he cheerfully opted in to his $35.6 million participant choice for the 2023-24 season with … the Philadelphia 76ers. 

You may recall that Kevin Durant used to be reported to have informed the Brooklyn Nets that the one manner he would play games for them, although he used to be below agreement, used to be in the event that they removed their head mentor on the while, Steve Nash, and GM Sean Marks. However Durant by no means stated this publicly. 

When Ben Simmons principally refused to play games for the Sixers, he cited psychological condition. He didn’t simply flat out say he wouldn’t play games in Philadelphia. 

Stuff likes this is going on in the back of the scenes a quantity. Trade is grimy, and the NBA is a industry. Damian Lillard has made it lovely cloudless he needs a business out of Portland, the place he’s below agreement for the upcoming 4 years, and that in particular he needs to journey to Miami, however he hasn’t stepped out and stated this publicly.

That’s the place Harden went unsuitable. You’ll’t rise up on a world platform, successfully clutch a megaphone, and get started refusing to play games for the staff with which you’re below agreement. The NBA has to get a minimum of rather of a take care of in this. Participant empowerment is something; whole manipulation and outright refusal to honor word of honour is a complete alternative factor that undoubtedly falls throughout the language of “statements detrimental to basketball, the NBA or a team.”

Due to this fact, the NBA introduced an investigation into Harden’s feedback and whether or not his calling Morey a liar doubtlessly referenced a handshake contract between the 2 when Harden took a decrease wage closing summer season. Did Morey inform Harden he would put together it as much as him this summer season with a long-term offer? If that is so, this might qualify as one thing of a wink-wink wage cap circumvention. 

Rather, what emerged from the investigation used to be Harden confirming that his liar remark used to be in connection with Morey “telling Harden he will trade him quickly following the $35.6 million opt-in for the 2023-24 season,” in line with The Athletic. 

So Harden believed he used to be most effective opting in to be traded, and the Sixers’ stance now could be that they dont intend to business him. For Harden, such are the breaks when no one available in the market — particularly the Clippers — needs you plethora to give Morey with an affordable business trade in. 

By no means thoughts the hypocrisy of a man who has bailed, or is within the means of seeking to bail, on 3 other groups with whom he used to be below agreement calling anyone else a liar. When Harden signed the ones offer, that’s a lovely cloudless contract to present your all to that staff. Did he book his oath? 

He would inform you that instances modified from the while he signed the ones offer. Smartly, instances have modified for the Sixers, too. 

Harden’s worth is within the tank, lovely merely. He can move then this season. He flamed out (once more) when the Sixers wanted him maximum in Video games 6 and seven of the convention semifinals towards Boston closing date. He very obviously is at all times a blackmail to up and power his manner out of a agreement and switch your staff into a multitude, as he has now performed 3 times — first in Houston, nearest Brooklyn, and now Philadelphia. 

Oh, and he’s about to show 34 years impaired and isn’t any place related the participant he as soon as used to be. He doesn’t have the leverage he thinks he does, or undoubtedly that he old to have. His very best guess is to swallow his delight, come again to the Sixers and provides them 100% for yet one more season. If he performs smartly, and isn’t a disorder, he can in all probability repair a few of his worth and feature his agent get started sweeping the soil for ingenious offer upcoming summer season to land him with yet one more long-term offer. 

Or he can being cussed and struggle to grow to be this sort of headache that Morey capitulates. I wouldn’t rely on that taking place. Morey confirmed with the Simmons saga that he can keep locked right into a staring duel with the most efficient of them. In alternative phrases, keep tuned.