NBA fines James Harden $100K for trade comments, NBPA files grievance

The NBA announced today that Philadelphia 76ers guard JamesHarden has been fined $100,000 by the league as a result of hispublic comments on August 14 and 17 indicating that he would notperform the services called for under his player contract unlesstraded to another team.

The league’s investigation, which included an interview ofHarden, confirmed that these comments referenced Harden’s beliefthat the 76ers would not accommodate his request to betraded.

Harden made headlines when he called out Sixers president DarylMorey during a camp in China, and when he said that hisrelationship with the Sixers was irreparable.

James Harden: “Daryl Morey is a liar and Iwill never be part of an organization that he’s a part of. Let mesay that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be part ofan organization that he’s a part of again.” 😳 pic.twitter.com/r2Gv07wAH7

“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of anorganization that he’s a part of," Harden said. "Let me say thatagain: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of anorganization that he’s a part of again."

These comments were made the day after Morey and the Sixersdecided to end trade talks involving Harden, who has made it clearthat he wants a change of scenery ever since he picked up his $35.6million player option back in June.

On August 17, Harden said that the relationship withMorey and the Sixers is beyond repair.

"I've been patient all summer," Harden added.

As BasketballNews' Blake Stern recentlynoted, the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement features aclause about players withholding services. Essentially, the CBAsays that if Harden chooses to hold out for more than 30 days intothe regular season, he will no longer be able to hit free agencynext summer because he would not have completed the terms of hiscontract (unless the Sixers allow him to).

The National Basketball Players' Association released astatement in response to Harden's fine.

"We respectfully disagree with the league's decision todiscipline James Harden for recent comments he made, which webelieve do not violate the rule against public trade demands," thestatement reads. "We intend to file a grievance and have the matterheard by our Arbitrator."

Harden is a former NBA Most Valuable Player and 10-timeAll-Star. Last season, he averaged 21 points, 10.7 assists, 6.1rebounds, 2.8 threes and 1.2 steals, while shooting 44.1% from thefield, 38.5% from three-point range and 86.7% from the free-throwline.