{"id":52715,"date":"2023-08-22T15:08:37","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T19:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=52715"},"modified":"2023-08-22T15:08:37","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T19:08:37","slug":"nba-news-james-harden-mac-mcclung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/22\/nba-news-james-harden-mac-mcclung\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA News: James Harden Fined $100K, Mac McClung Signs with Orlando"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NBA has fined disgruntled <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/PHI\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Philadelphia 76ers<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> star <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hardeja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>James Harden<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> $100,000 over his recent comments calling team president Daryl Morey a \u201cliar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The NBA is fining Sixers star James Harden $100,000 for his recent comments referring to franchise president Daryl Morey as a \u201cliar,\u201d sources tell ESPN.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wojespn\/status\/1694013698128392228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The disparaging remarks stemmed from Morey\u2019s apparent promise to trade Harden as soon as he opted into his $35.6M Player Option. After trade talks with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/LAC\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Los Angeles Clippers<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stalled, the Sixers took Harden off the trade market, leading him to make those comments and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/13\/nba-rumors-james-harden-76ers-celtics-and-pelicans-news\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reach an impasse with the organization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>NBA News: James Harden Fined $100K, Mac McClung Signs with Orlando<\/h2>\n<h3>Details of the Fine<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/4796778\/2023\/08\/22\/james-harden-fine-trade-demands-76ers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam Amick of The Athletic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the league\u2019s $100,000 fine is consistent with the new rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, whereas previous instances of trade requests made public (e.g. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/25879816\/anthony-davis-new-orleans-pelicans-fined-50000-public-trade-demand-agent\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/news\/dewayne-dedmon-fined-trade-request-official-release\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dewayne Dedmon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) only landed $50,000 fines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harden&#8217;s remark that he would never play for Morey again\u00a0played a larger role in the fine, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wojespn\/status\/1694015974184260076\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN&#8217;s Adrian Wojnarowski<\/a>. A section of the CBA (as quoted by The Athletic) further explains the matter:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAny player (or, for clarity, any player representative or person acting with authority on behalf of a player) who publicly expresses a desire to be traded to another Team shall be subject to a fine and\/or a suspension. The maximum fine that may be imposed by the NBA on a player pursuant to the foregoing shall be $150,000.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>The Pressure is On<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the pressure wasn\u2019t on Harden before, it should be now. The ten-time All-Star is still holding out hope of escaping an unfortunate situation\u2014one that he got himself into after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/33259122\/james-harden-wants-trade-philadelphia-76ers-formally-request-deal-due-concern-public-backlash-sources-say\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">requesting a trade<\/a> from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/NJN\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Brooklyn Nets<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The drama surrounding Harden has led to further questions around the future of teammate and reigning MVP <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/embiijo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Joel Embiid<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/19\/nba-rumors-james-harden-daryl-morey-and-joel-embiid\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recently received interest from Eastern Conference rivals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, team owner Josh Harris told insider Shams Charania that he is working hard to keep Harden in Philadelphia.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I respect James. I want to, obviously, accommodate what he wants. At the same time, I have to think about a championship-contending team, what we can get back. I\u2019d love to convince him to stay. I understand that that\u2019s not what he wants to do right now.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Harden is stuck with the Sixers, one of his teammates is moving on.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Other Sixers News: Mac McClung to Orlando<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former Sixer and 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccluma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Mac McClung<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has signed a partially-guaranteed deal with the Orlando Magic, according to Charania.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Free agent guard Mac McClung \u2013 the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion \u2013 has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the Orlando Magic, sources tell <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheAthletic<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Stadium<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nXXfTcC5zh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/nXXfTcC5zh<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1694039427520036875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The high-flying McClung\u2014who was originally known for athletic high-school highlights\u2014has been an NBA journeyman. He\u2019s averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game over the last two seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McClung began with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/LAL\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Los Angeles Lakers<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 Summer League squad in 2021. Afterwards, he played with their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, where his standout play earned him the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/southbay.gleague.nba.com\/news\/south-bay-lakers-mac-mcclung-named-2021-22-kia-nba-g-league-rookie-of-the-year\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021-22 G League MVP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Eventually, McClung joined the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/CHI\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Chicago Bulls<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that December on a ten-day contract. After a second ten-day and a relegation to their G League squad, McClung found his way back to California\u2014first with the Lakers then the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/teams\/GSW\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Golden State Warriors<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014before ending up with the Sixers. McClung only played two games for Philadelphia. He averaged 12.5 points, five rebounds and 4.5 assists on 45\/36\/60 shooting splits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McClung\u2019s impressive showcase during All-Star Weekend put him in the history books as well, as he became <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nba\/heat\/miami-news\/mac-mcclung-joins-former-miami-heat-player-derrick-jones-jr-as-undrafted-players-to-win-dunk-contest#:~:text=Mac%20McClung%20Joins%20Former%20Miami,Heat%20News%2C%20Analysis%20and%20More\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the second undrafted player<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0(next to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesde02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Derrick Jones Jr.<\/strong><\/a>) to win the Slam Dunk Contest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McClung will be fighting for the final two-way spot on the Magic roster. Orlando now has 18 of their 21 camp invites filled. The team\u2019s other two-way signees are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harrike01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kevon Harris<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/schofad01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Admiral Schofield<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, both of whom will be splitting time with the recently-rebranded Osceola Magic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Last Word<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The headlines from Philadelphia are as hot as the cheesesteaks, whether it\u2019s the escalating Harden situation or more minor transactions.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The NBA has fined disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden $100,000 over his recent comments calling team president Daryl Morey a \u201cliar.\u201d The NBA is fining Sixers star James Harden $100,000 for his recent comments referring to franchise president Daryl Morey as a \u201cliar,\u201d sources tell ESPN. &mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 22, 2023 The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":52488,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,62,3,17,13],"tags":[1107,444,2480,202,4557],"class_list":["post-52715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nba","category-news","category-magic","category-76ers","tag-daryl-morey","tag-james-harden","tag-mac-mcclung","tag-nba-news","tag-nba-offseason"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52715","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52715"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52715\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}