The Philadelphia 76ers are being investigated by the NBA over potential tampering allegations related to the recent signings of James Harden, PJ Tucker, and Danuel House.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowsk the probe centers on the summer spending spree, which saw the Sixers re-sign Harden, while adding Tucker and House for a combined $110 million. The league is specifically looking into any potential handshake agreement between those three players and the Sixers’ front office before free agency opened on June 30.
A 76ers spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the club is aware of and cooperating with the investigation.
Harden decided to stay in Philadelphia after declining the initial open to sign with the 76ers
The report says the Sixers are cooperating with the league at this time.
Harden, who was on Philadelphia’s roster before hitting free agency, turned down a $47million player option, only to stay with the team on a two-year, $68 million deal in order to give the club more flexibility to sign free agents.
However, the second year of Harden’s contract includes a player option — enabling him to stay with the Sixers for $35.6m in 2023-24, or thrust himself into free agency once more.
Team president Daryl Morey – who previously worked with all three players in Houston – also added House and Tucker in free agency.
Harden, who was on Philadelphia’s roster before hitting free agency, turned down a $47million option to sign with the team, only to stay on a two-year, $68 million deal in order to give the club more flexibility to sign free agents. Team president Daryl Morey (pictured) – who previously worked with all three players in Houston – also added House and Tucker
Harden and the 76ers fell well short of expectations last season – losing to Miami in the playoffs
Rival NBA teams have raised questions as to whether Harden and the 76ers may have had a handshake agreement for a deal down the line, according to the report.
Under the current collective bargaining rules, teams cannot have future agreements in place.
P.J. Tucker reunited with Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey
Morey, Philadelphia’s president of basketball operations, has already begun answering questions asked of him by the NBA’s attorney, according to the report.
ESPN also reports the investigation will involve a full-scale inquiry, including the turning in of phone records and electronic communication devices and interviews with league investigators.
Despite his stellar resume, which includes honors as a six-time All-Pro and 10-time All-Star, Harden has faced criticism for failing to lift his team to an NBA title.
His decision to take a pay cut suggests he is all-in on bringing a championship to The City of Brotherly Love.
Harden’s benevolence allowed the Sixers to sign power forward and one-time NBA champion, Tucker, from Miami and Danuel House, formerly of the Rockets and Utah Jazz.
Tucker signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $33m deal on July 6, while House inked a two-year, $8.5m contract.
Harden and Morey have worked together previously during The Beard’s most successful stint
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