Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has been fined $50,000 for violating the NBA's anti-tampering policy, the league office announced Monday.
The fine is in response to a Dec. 20 tweet about Houston Rockets superstar James Harden. The tweet, which was deleted several minutes later, celebrated the one-year anniversary of Harden breaking the Rockets' franchise assist record.
Morey told league it was an inadvertent post from an automated app, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Rockets CEO Tad Brown seemingly responded to Morey's tweet that night, tweeting an emoji with raised eyebrows and a hand rubbing the chin.
Morey was hired by the 76ers this offseason less than two weeks after resigning as the Rockets' general manager, a position he held for 13 seasons.
Harden requested a trade from the Rockets later in the offseason. According to sources, Harden originally informed the team that he wanted to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets, but he has since expanded his list of preferred destinations to include the 76ers and other potential contenders.