In an interview, the guard dubbed Morey a “liar” after claims that the 76ers had stopped trade talks with him.

Harden, 33, was allegedly eager to join the Los Angeles Clippers before talks fell through.

The NBA stated that the sanction was imposed because he stated that “he would not perform the services required under his player contract unless traded to another team.”

The sanction stems from Harden’s comments on August 14 and 17, when he effectively threatened to strike by refusing to play for the 76ers because they refused to trade him.

“The league’s investigation, which included an interview with Harden, confirmed that these comments referenced Harden’s belief that the 76ers would not accommodate his request to be traded,” the NBA noted.

Harden made the divisive remarks regarding Morey on August 14 during a promotional event in China.

“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he is a part of,” he stated. Let me repeat: Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization in which he is involved.”

In later media interviews, Harden stated that Morey had broken a promise to trade him promptly earlier in the offseason.

According to ESPN, talks between the 76ers and the Clippers fell through due to his current team’s demands, who expect him to return for a training camp in September.

Harden was elected NBA MVP in 2018 while playing with the Houston Rockets, where Morey was the general manager.

The pair’s friendship was a crucial element in Harden’s trade to Philadelphia, which sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets.

Harden helped the 76ers reach the Eastern Conference semi-finals last season, but they were defeated by rivals Boston Celtics after blowing a 3-2 series lead.

The 76ers meet the Celtics in their first preseason game on October 8th, and the regular season begins on October 24th.