It seems the ongoing drama between the Philadelphia 76ers and star guard James Harden will lead to an unexpected investigation by the NBA.
The Philadelphia 76ers begin their 2023 season on Thursday night in a marquee matchup against fellow Eastern Conference powerhouse the Milwaukee Bucks. It is one of the top games during the opening week of the NBA season, however, it is being overshadowed by an ugly ongoing situation with one of the team’s top players.
Related: Philadelphia 76ers holding up James Harden trade for one particular reason
In the summer James Harden shockingly opted into the final year of his contract but then followed it up by requesting a trade out of Philly. In the months since he and the team have gotten no closer to a trade or mending their frayed relationship.
He was away from the team for most of the summer but then surprisingly made his return to the team this week just in time for the start of the season. However, the organization blocked his attempt to travel with them to Milwaukee and asked that he work with the training staff to get himself up to speed to return to the floor after their road trip.
NBA looking into possible Philadelphia 76ers violation of new player participation rules
That decision has reportedly drawn the attention of the league. On Thursday, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the new player participation guidelines have led the league to look closer at why Harden will not be available to play in the 76ers’ game against the Bucks.
“ESPN asked the NBA about James Harden and the new Player Participation policy,” Wojnarowski wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “League is investigating. NBA spokesman Mike Bass: ‘We’re looking into the facts around James Harden’s availability tonight to determine whether an approved reason exists for his lack of participation.'”
The player participation policy stops teams from resting healthy star players, without approval, for national TV or in-season tournament games. The rule was created to curb the popular strategy of maintenance days for many star players around the league.