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.