NBA investigating Philadelphia 76ers for possible tampering centered on James Harden, P.J. Tucker, Danuel House deals, sources say

The NBA has opened an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers for possible tampering and early contact centered on the franchise's summer free agency class of James Harden, P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, sources told ESPN on Friday.

One of the central elements of the league's probe includes questions on Harden's decision to decline a $47.4 million player option for 2022-23 and take a pay cut on a new two-year, $68 million deal, sources said. Around the league, there have been questions about whether there's already a handshake agreement in place on a future contract — which would be in violation of collective bargaining rules.

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has already begun answering questions from league attorneys, sources said. The investigation is expected to include interviews with team personnel and the organization turning over electronic correspondence and phone records to league investigators. Teams weren't allowed to have conversations with agents or players on free agency deals prior to the opening of free agency at 6 p.m. ET on June 30.

Harden is guaranteed $33 million for the 2022-23 season and holds a player option on 2023-24 that would allow him to become a free agent and negotiate another new deal.

Harden, a 10-time All-Star and six-time first-team All-NBA guard, says he told Morey he wanted to do his part to strengthen the Sixers' roster and give them a better chance to compete for a championship — and the player option he declined last month could also give the organization flexibility to make deals once the season is underway.

Tucker (three years, $30 million) and House (two years, $8.4 million) agreed to the maximum contracts available to them under the midlevel and biannual