The NBA will consider whether Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith's public acknowledgement Thursday that he wants to be traded constitutes a fineable offense under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, league sources told ESPN.
Smith, unhappy with his playing time, was asked by a reporter Thursday if he hoped to be traded.
"Yeah," Smith said. "They know. They don't want me here, so they obviously know."
Players are not allowed to make public trade requests. Former Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe was fined $10,000 for tweeting "I don't wanna be here" last year.
Smith is out of the Cavaliers' playing rotation and has discussed with the front office the possibility of leaving the team until a trade can be found.
The Cavaliers (1-6) fired coach Ty Lue, lost All-Star forward Kevin Love for the foreseeable future with a toe injury and are transitioning to the organization's young players over the veterans.
Smith and guard Kyle Korver are among the veterans the Cavaliers are interested in trading.
Smith, 33, is in his 15th season and making $14.7 million. He has yet to play more than 20 minutes in a game and is averaging just 2.5 points and 1.0 rebound. He has two years left on his current contract.
The Cavaliers host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
