The NBA is looking into the circumstances that may have caused James Harden‘s public scolding of Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey during a trip to China, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne report.
According to ESPN, the league is investigating whether or not Harden was planning to hold out for the 2023-24 season — which would be a violation of the collective bargaining agreement — or is planning to bring up past contract discussions that would have constituted salary cap circumvention.
While on a publicity trip for Adidas in China, Harden disparaged Morey, calling him a liar and saying he’ll never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.
Then, in an interview with Houston television station KHOU, the 76ers guard said that his relationship with the team is beyond repair and is instead focusing his off-season on things he can control.
Harden opted into his player option for $35.6 million at the beginning of the off-season. According to reports, Harden opted in so that he could be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
ESPN also reported that Harden has privately indicated that his outburst targeted towards Morey was a result of the team ending trade discussions for the 10-time all-star.
The inquiry into possible salary cap circumvention may be targeted towards speculation that the 76ers and Harden worked towards the guard taking a pay cut last season in hopes of building the rest of the roster for a championship push.
The former MVP has played a season and a half in Philadelphia after being traded there from the Brooklyn Nets in 2022. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and a league-leading 10.7 assists last season.