Sources - NBA launches inquiry into James Harden's situation - ESPN

The NBA has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden's public admonishment of the franchise's President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, sources told ESPN.

The league office is believed to be pursuing an understanding of whether Harden was portending a 2023-2024 hold out in violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement — or had been referencing past contract discussions with the organization that might constitute salary cap circumvention, sources said.

Nevertheless, Harden has privately indicated that his public comments calling Morey a «liar» on Monday morning had only been a response to Morey ending trade discussions with an expectation that Harden would start the season with the Sixers, sources said.

The Sixers, nor Harden would be in violation of any league guidelines should that be communicated to league officials.

The Sixers informed Harden that they hadn't found a suitable trade with his preferred destination of the Los Angeles Clippers and expected him to report to the team's training camp in September — something that sources say Harden plans to do. Despite public speculation, Harden has made no allegations of a previous handshake agreement with the Sixers on a future contract.

At a publicity stop for his line of Adidas basketball shoes on Monday morning in China, Harden called Morey a «liar» and said that he would «never be a part of an organization that he's a part of.»

Harden, who turns 34 this month, exercised his $35.6 million option for the 2023-2024 season in June with an expectation that Morey would work with him on finding a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources said. The Sixers and Clippers engaged in numerous conversations, but