Daryl Morey, president of the Philadelphia 76ers’ basketball operations, has been fined $ 50,000 for violating the NBA’s anti-manipulation policy, the league’s office said Monday.
The fine is in response to a December 20 tweet about Houston Rockets superstar James Harden. The tweet, which was deleted a few minutes later, celebrated the one-year anniversary of Harden breaking the attendance record in the Rockets franchise.
Morey told the league it was an inappropriate post from an automated application, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Rockets CEO Tad Brown apparently responded to Morey’s tweet that night, tweeting an emoji with raised eyebrows and a hand rubbing his chin.
Morey was hired by the 76ers this season, less than two weeks after he resigned as general manager of the Rockets, a position he held for 13 seasons.
Harden requested a transaction from the Rockets later in the offseason. According to sources, Harden initially informed the team that he wants to be traded on the Brooklyn Nets, but has since expanded his list of favorite destinations to include 76ers and other potential competitors.