NBA fines James Harden $100,000 after he called 76ers chief Daryl Morey a ‘liar’ and vowed never to play for him again

James Harden has been fined $100,000 by the NBA after he branded Daryl Morey a ‘liar’ and suggested he would never play for the Sixers again.

The league launched an inquiry last week into Harden’s comments earlier this month, which the NBA said ‘indicated he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team.’ 

The NBA spoke to Harden, who has been embroiled in a trade stand-off this offseason which led him to vow never to play for Morey again.

The 10-time All-Star had hoped to join the Los Angeles Clippers after 18 months in Philadelphia. After it emerged that trade talks had ended, Harden took aim at Morey.

‘Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,’ he said during a trip to China. 

James Harden has been fined $100,000 by the NBA after inflammatory comments this month

He branded Daryl Morey a ‘liar’ and suggested he would never play for the Sixers again

‘Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.’

Three days later, when asked if it was too late to salvage his 76ers career, he added: ‘I think so’. 

Those comments have now landed Harden in hot water with the league. The guard has been ordered to pay $100,000 – said to be the maximum fine he could face.

‘Philadephia 76ers guard James Harden has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for 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,’ an NBA statement read,

‘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.’ 

When asked if it was too late to salvage his 76ers career, Harden added this month: ‘I think so’

Harden reportedly told league investigators that his comment was referring to Morey telling him that he will trade him ‘quickly’ following the $35.6 million opt in for 2023-24. 

He is expected to report to the Sixers’ training camp in September after he was informed that a suitable trade with the Clippers hadn’t been found, despite the point guard claiming his relationship with the franchise is fractured beyond repair. 

Harden added: ‘I’ve been patient all summer. For me I just focus on what I can control, and that’s working out (and) staying in shape and getting ready for a good season.’

The 33-year-old landed in Philadelphia in 2022 in exchange for Ben Simmons, who was sent to Brooklyn after he had become embroiled in his own trade standoff with the Sixers.