NBA Fines 76ers’ James Harden $100,000 for Daryl Morey Comments

The 10-time All-Star called the veteran executive a “liar” in China.

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden spoke his mind about team president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, publicly calling the veteran executive a “liar” on Aug. 14.

Now, he reportedly will face consequences from the league for his actions.

The NBA fined Harden $100,000 Tuesday morning for his comments, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The fine is the maximum allowable under the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players for “statements prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball, the NBA, or a team,” per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

Speaking at an event in China, Harden told attendees, “Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. … 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.”

Harden, who averaged 21 points per game for the 76ers in 2022-23, is attempting to engineer a trade—with the Clippers floated as a possible destination. The 10-time All-Star has been traded in two of the past four seasons and is reportedly frustrated that Morey went back on a promise to trade him quickly.