Kyrie Irving enters Harden debate with strong response to "disgruntled" comments

14 August 2023 , 20:48

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Kyrie Irving has defended James Harden on social media amid a dispute with the Philadelphia 76ers. (Image: Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving reacted angrily to a tweet from NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski that called Philadelphia 76ers wantaway James Harden "disgruntled." Irving has sided with Harden, his former teammate, in the star's intense dispute with his team.

Irving took aim after an article was posted on social media that carried the headline, "Disgruntled Harden calls 76ers prez Morey a 'liar.'" The story referred to the feud between Harden and 76ers president Daryl Morey.

In response, Irving wrote, "Is he Disgruntled Adrian?? Or is he holding Darryl Morey [sic] accountable for his dishonesty and lack of transparency throughout the contract negotiation process this summer?"

Harden requested a trade earlier this summer and has vowed never to play for the 76ers again after Morey said he could keep him in Philadelphia. And it is clear that Irving is backing the stance of his former teammate.

"Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he's a part of," Harden told a crowd during a summer tour stop in China. "Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he's a part of."

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Irving, of course, is an expert on rifts between players and organisations. He has forced his way out of Cleveland, Boston and Brooklyn, with the latter two departures particularly acrimonious. As a member of the Nets, Irving played alongside Harden, but injuries hampered them and Kevin Durant and never reached lofty expectations.

The Mavericks executed a midseason trade to land Irving, believing he could combine with Luka Doncic to form a high-scoring offence that could contend in the Western Conference. Instead, Dallas missed the playoffs entirely. Irving nonetheless re-signed with the team on a three-year, £97 million ($126m) contract.

There is reportedly a provision in the Duke product's deal that would give him an extra 15 per cent payout — or about £14.5m — from any team that acquires him over the duration of his contract.

Kyrie Irving and James Harden were once teammates and are still connected by the player empowerment movement. (Getty Images)

Harden, meanwhile, activated a £28m ($35.6m) player option for 2023/24 but alleges he only did so to help the 76ers trade him. The former Houston Rockets star is furious that Philadelphia could try to keep him. He reportedly wants to go to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Irving and Harden are among the athletes who have ushered in a new era of player empowerment. Trade demands and high-profile free agency departures have become common. Elsewhere in the NBA this offseason, Bradley Beal forced his way from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns.

Damian Lillard hasn't been so lucky after telling the Portland Trail Blazers to send him to the Miami Heat — a specific request condemned by commissioner Adam Silver in an apparent effort to reign in player control.

Dan Bernstein