Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving showed his support for former Nets teammate James Harden after Harden called Sixers executive Daryl Morey a liar, The Dallas Morning News relays.
When ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski labeled Harden “disgruntled” in a social media post, Irving stood by Harden on his official Twitter (X) page.
“Is he Disgruntled Adrian?? Or is he holding Morey accountable for his dishonesty and lack of transparency throughout the contract negotiation process this summer?” Irving wrote.
Harden reportedly was unhappy with Irving prior to be traded to Philadelphia, but Irving’s post suggests the two star guards may be on better terms now.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Victor Wembanyama has created so much buzz that the Spurs have released more season ticket packages to their fans. According to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, the Spurs have opened an additional 1,500 season ticket membership opportunities. The multi-game options include a full season with 42 home games, a half season with 20 games and a 10-home game plan.
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich rarely speaks about his family but he opened up about his late wife Erin and his children during his acceptance speech at the Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, Orsborn notes in a separate story. “I have a family,” Popovich said. “People think I just do basketball. I don’t really like it that much. Basketball doesn’t love us back, does it? We use it like a bar of soap, right? It pays our bills. It gives us a wonderful life. But I don’t remember it saying, ‘I love you, Pop.’ It’s different. It’s the family.”
- Rockets center Alperen Sengun has set lofty goals for himself, according to Semih Tuna of Eurohoops.net. “Of course, like everyone else, my goal is to become an All-Star,” Sengun said. “I hope I can do that.” Sengun averaged 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in his second NBA season.
I wanna know where Pop gets this magic soap lol
I’m a little confused by this…Is Harden essentially admitting to previously agreeing to a future(now) contract extension, after opting out last year and signing the 2 year deal? If so, isnt that not legal, and didnt the NBA hold an “investigation” about it? Which is it? Unless they’re insinuating something else?
It was an illegal deal between Harden and Morey. However, Harden learned the hard way that Morey is NOT the final decision-maker, and does NOT write the checks. Thus, he didn’t get maxed out.
Harden, like Kyrie, does not care whether or not the team truly wins or not. Just want a fat check and stats to strut around like the stars they used to be.
That isnt my point/question
If all Harden cared about were stats and money he’d still be in Houston signing max veteran extensions and chucking up 22-25 shots a game.
There are back channel deals all the time. That’s how coveted free agents sign within minutes after free agency starts. That also how players can ask for a trade to specific teams. They have to know there’s interest from the team acquiring the player otherwise it would be pretty awkward if say the Heat were to respond to a trade request with “Well Dame, we’re not actually interested in trading for you”.
The Heat did do that with Kyrie a few years ago…
Again though, the question remains
Also, are we saying this is more legal than 2 teams trying to make a trade for 2 years, and then coming to a sign and trade agreement when FA begins?
I’m not saying it’s more legal I’m just saying the 76ers aren’t the first nor only team to do this.
If Harden is indeed insinuating that Morey made him a promise of financial compensation than the league should look into it and if guilty they should act accordingly i.e. severely fine The 76ers and suspend Morey as it would have given the 76ers an unfair competitive advantage. The question then becomes would they actually do that or will they sweep it under the rug as per usual?
They take draft picks for the other scenario I presented. Shouldnt the penalty be a lot more harsh
The draft picks are always 2nd round picks. That only hurts the player that would’ve been drafted. Nothing but lip service.
To answer your question though yes the penalty should be more harsh and even moreso if the league finds they didn’t follow through. Talking to a player that was going to sign with your team anyway doesn’t give them an advantage but in this case if promises were made the 76ers couldn’t mase the same moves they did last off season.
Circumventing the cap is a pretty big deal, which is what is being insinuated here. I think its significantly worse than other things that have happened in recent times. I agree about the draft pick thing. I personally wouldnt have done that for the previous discretions, and I’m not really one that cares much about tampering…
I’m just pointing out what’s happening here, so I can fully understand if I’m grasping it correctly.
You are correct. Absolutely circumventing the salary cap. The statements being made now would be in direct conflict with statements that were made during the “investigation”. Shouldn’t that investigation be opened back up? Harden, Morey, Agent … Shouldn’t they be interviewed again? Why is Darryl Morey a liar??
It may be against the collective bargaining agreement but it is not illegal.
Sengun has that potential. But I see him more as an old school 4. With Smith there. He will have to play Center for mins.
“(Joe) Smith signed a free-agent contract with Minnesota in 1999, alongwith a secret promise of $86 million over seven years, a deal thatviolated the salary cap. The NBA punished the Timberwolves bytaking away their next five first-round draft picks and fining them$3.5 million, a league record.”
I forgot about that deal. Joe Smith. Mr. Ordinary.
Let’s see – oh yea – no one cares what Kyrie has to ssy
@formerlyz – A real commissioner would find IF that’s what Harden is saying now. Because if it is, and accurate, then he lied to the NBA’s investigators last year. More importantly, it would mean that PHI made an agreement that circumvents the salary cap rules. That’s as serious as it gets. It doesn’t happen all the time, and its infinitely more serious than jumping the gun in free agency. It’s why MIN lost FRPs with Joe Smith. Of course, the league had a real commissioner back then.
The Joe Smith situation is what I had been thinking of, but I wasnt entirely sure if I was understanding correctly…but it seems like that was the implication, and furthered by what Kyrie is saying here as well
It seems like rules dont apply in certain situations picked and chosen by people, just like every other thing people 8!+@# about online
I would also like to point out that this is kind of how the Heat lost D-Wade. They couldnt legally promise him anything like that for obvious reasons…People kept asking about doing something like that at the time, but they couldnt circumvent the cap, not even for our franchise player of 14.5 years, and our city’s greatest sports icon of all time (although there was a lot more to it than that, and they theoretically could have still kept him b/c of bird rights, but one of the issues was what he would get paid that year, so it fits)
Kyrie is right on the money!!!
Harden got a cheap contract to help the team with the understanding that now he would get a big one… clearly Morey, lied!
That’s the undeniable truth!
Not quite. Harden opted into a contract with the intention to force a trade, knowing that the free agency pathway was limited. Now he’s stuck – he can’t imply that there was potentially a backroom promise of a bigger contract, because he’s outing himself in it. He expected to have his demands met, with no plan B.
He probably didn’t think he’d need a plan B, since he has already forced his way out of Houston and Brooklyn previously. Third time not so lucky.
No one should be surprised that teams aren’t banging down the door for a guy who’s got a reputation for taking his ball and going home.
Interesting…..
Reading between the lines here but way I see it is
James opted out and took the 2 year deal to save the Sixers money and build a better roster and hopefully they win. Afterwards Harden will get a juicy deal next time around for taking one for the team.
However they never made it far in the playoffs, James had a little market and Morey decided you know what, James your not getting that big deal anymore. To which James has called him a liar and wants to get traded.
Sixers knowing Harden is old, on the final year of his deal and upset said we will work with you on a trade and try get you to the Clippers like you want but the Clippers said yeah nah no thanks.
Back to the modern day now. James being old and on the final year of his deal can’t really afford to just wait it out or take the year off. No one is paying a 35 year old big money next offseason after a year off. He needs to be playing if he wants the money.
If all he cares about is winning a ring, then he should’ve opted out in FA and taken a minimum deal or MLE with whoever he wanted. But clearly he wanted the money realising he can’t afford to say no to 36mil.
Which leads me to asking the question what’s next? James needs to play, Sixers would rather he plays but two clearly want to part ways. Is it worth the Sixers taking less to cause less problems and move on? Idk but they played the waiting game with Ben Simmons and although it was ugly it worked out in the end to some degree. Harden also has forced his way out and been made to play in the past, we all remember the fat suit in Houston. But that was off the back of MVP seasons and there was a demand for him now not so much. Harden is learning the hard way that the NBA is a business but it also paints a bad image of Philly coming off the back of Simmons.
Personally I’d be happy if they just went there separate ways and we took less for him.
Miami want to give up on Dame and take Harden?
Lakers you guys desperate enough….
Anyone want a one year rental/salary dump?
Harden to China. Big star there with a billion dollar contract for the next 8 years.
Kyrie the clown
There was never a confirmed statement from Harden that Irving was the reason he wanted out of Brooklyn.
Harden got to Brooklyn, and looked washed next to other legitimate stars. He wanted to leave for Philly because he knew he would be a primary scorer for them, and possibly recoup some value for his next contract.
He put up good numbers last season, but the Sixers brass didn’t buy it, and are not willing to make a substantial, long-term investment in James Harden.