NBA has fined James Harden $100,000 due to his declaration that he would not participate in games for the Philadelphia 76ers as long as president Daryl Morey remained in office.
The guard called Morey a “liar” in an interview after reports the 76ers had ended talks about trading him.
Harden, 33, was reportedly keen to join the LA Clippers before talks faltered.
According to the NBA, the fine was given because the player stated that "he would not perform the services required under his player contract unless traded to another team."
The National Basketball Players Association responded, saying: "We respectfully disagree with the league's decision to punish James Harden for recent remarks he made, which we think do not contravene the rule prohibiting public trade demands.
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“We intend to file a grievance and have the matter heard by our Arbitrator.”
The fine relates to comments made by Harden on 14 and 17 August, when he in effect threatened to strike by refusing to play for the 76ers over their refusal to trade him.
The NBA added: “The league’s investigation, which included an interview of Harden, confirmed that these comments referenced Harden’s belief that the 76ers would not accommodate his request to be traded.”
Harden made the controversial comments about Morey on 14 August during a promotional event in China.
He said: “Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organisation that he’s a part of. Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organisation that he’s a part of.”
Harden said in subsequent media interviews that Morey had gone back on a promise to trade him quickly earlier in the off-season.
According to ESPN, talks between the 76ers and the Clippers broke down because of the demands set by his current team, who are expecting the player to return for a training camp in September.
Harden was named the NBA’s most valuable player (MVP) in 2018 while playing for the Houston Rockets, where Morey was general manager.
The pair’s relationship was a key factor in Harden moving to Philadelphia in a trade which sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets.
Along with current NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Harden led the 76ers to the Eastern Conference semifinals of the previous season, when they were defeated by the Boston Celtics after blowing a 3-2 series lead.
The 76ers play the Celtics in their first preseason game on October 8 before the regular season begins on October 24.
