76ers' James Harden Fined $100K After Calling Daryl Morey a 'Liar' amid Trade Rumors

James Harden's decision to publicly air out the dirty laundry regarding Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is going to cost him.

The NBA fined Harden $100,000 Tuesday for his recent comments about Morey.

Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski initially reported the fine, which the NBPA plans to file a grievance over.

During an Adidas marketing event in China on Aug. 14, Harden told the crowd Morey is a "liar" and he "will never be a part of an organization that he's a part of."

Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported on Saturday the league opened an investigation into Harden's comments.

Specifically, the league was "believed" to be looking into whether Harden was "portending a 2023-24 holdout in violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement or had been referencing past contract discussions with the organization" in an attempt to potentially circumvent the salary cap.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Harden told NBA investigators his comments were in reference to Morey telling him the 76ers would trade him "quickly" after he opted in to his deal for the 2023-24 season.

Wojnarowski reported on June 29 that Harden was opting in to his $35.6 million salary, allowing him to work with the Sixers on finding a trade.

The 76ers ended trade talks involving Harden two weeks ago when no "traction" on a deal materialized and are planning to bring him to training camp, per Wojnarowski.

ESPN noted Philadelphia's asking price for the former NBA MVP was "steep" and no teams were "willing, or able, to meet it."

Morey told 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia (h/t Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice) that Harden won't be traded if they "don't get either a very good player or something we can turn into a very good player" to keep them a championship contender next season.

Harden was acquired by the 76ers from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022. The 10-time All-Star led the NBA with 10.7 assists per game and averaged 21.0 points in 58 appearances last season.

Philadelphia finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 54-28 record in 2022-23 but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.