NBA
NBA: This big update on the James Harden controversy
James Harden’s adventure in Philadelphia may not have started as well as he might have hoped. Eager to win a title, the leader finally did not go all the way with the 76ers, who stopped in the second round of the Playoffs. He now dreams of winning the title next season, and has accepted a contract that greatly reduces his salary so that his team can strengthen. An operation that generates numerous accusations of tampering targeting the Pennsylvania franchise.
This is the biggest free-agency move in February. Victim of a bitter failure during the 2021 Playoffs with brooklyn by being eliminated in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks, James Harden decided to pack his bags. At 32, the leader has never won an NBA championship title, and is starting to get impatient. Eager to obtain his first ring, he judged that the net were no longer able to aim for the title, and joined the philadelphia 76ers. However, while he recently extended his adventure in Pennsylvania, The Beard sees his franchise being the victim of numerous accusations on this subject.
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Philadelphia is accused of tampering
Philadelphia is in the sights of the league currently. Indeed, following the extension of James Harden’s contract and the arrival of P.J. Tuckerthem 76ers are accused of tampering. A practice which consists in negotiating or even only discussing with a player under contract, as long as the free-agency has not started. And if the NBA already found the formalization of the arrival of Tucker from the very first moments of this period, it is now The Beard who is talking about him. The 32-year-old leader refused a player option at nearly €46.2m and then accepted a contract for two seasons at €67m. A drop in his emoluments which would constitute a violation of the collective agreement if it was negotiated before the opening of the free-agency.
Doc Rivers denies the rumors
Convicted of tampering with Paul George in 2019, Doc Rivers was questioned about the charges against the 76ers. Asked by ESPN about the way which Philadelphia faced with these rumours, the tactician was categorical: “We manage it because it’s not true. Frankly, when James did this and said that, first of all, we didn’t know what we were going to do with the money obtained.. In the end, this money obtained, or rather saved, was used to strengthen the team with several arrivals quite quickly, although everyone internally was unaware of the choice that would be made The Beard.
“I guarantee you Daryl had no idea what James was going to do”
While he firmly denies the tampering accusations of which Philadelphia is a victim, Doc Rivers is happy with the choice of James Harden. Indeed, thanks to the reduction of the leader’s salary, the 76ers were able to strengthen their team, by attracting P.J. Tucker, Daniel House as well as Trevelin Queen. “It worked for us and for James. I guarantee you that Daryl (Morey, the president) had no idea what James was going to do. I remember talking to him the day before about when James could activate his option or not, and he said to me, ‘We have five hours left.’ It was Daryl Morey! So that shows he had no idea.” confided the coach, in remarks relayed by USA Basketball.