3:20pm: NBA commissioner Adam Silver doesn’t expect the league to fine Smith for today’s comments, tweets Vardon.
2:46pm: The NBA is evaluating whether comments made by Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith during Thursday’s media session warrant a fine, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
As we relayed earlier today, Smith told reporters in Cleveland that he’d like to be traded — specifically, he was asked if he wanted to be dealt, and he replied, “Yeah.” The NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement prohibits players from publicly requesting trades, so the league will have to determine whether Smith violated that rule by simply answering a reporter’s question and acknowledging that he’d welcome a trade.
Wojnarowski points out that Eric Bledsoe was fined $10K last fall when the Suns got off to a miserable start and he tweeted, “I don’t wanna be here.” Bledsoe later claimed that he was with at a hair salon when he sent the tweet, but neither the team nor the league bought that explanation. Although he had to pay the $10K fine, Bledsoe eventually got his wish, with Phoenix trading him to the Bucks.
It remains to be seen whether Smith will get similar treatment from the NBA (via a fine) and from the Cavaliers (via a trade). For now though, he finds himself an awkward situation. According to multiple reports, Cavs GM Koby Altman asked Smith if he wanted to take time away from the team, but the veteran guard declined. He’s also not interested in asking for or accepting a buyout, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Given Smith’s somewhat onerous contract and the fact that it’s still just November 1, the Cavaliers are unlikely to find a trade partner in the near future, so the two sides may be stuck with each other for the time being.
Seems lame to fine a player for giving an honest answer to a question they were asked.
^^^Good point!
Maybe issue a warning to the media member who asked that?
NBA players get paid to represent their respective clubs, in addition to their performance on the court. J.R. knew what the proper response to a question like that should be: one that’s supportive of the team. Instead, he chose the more self-serving route, disrespecting his teammates, coaches and fans in the process. He definitely should be fined for that.
Hey Mr. Silver, Magic Johnson wants his $$$ back! ‘Rules are Rules’ remember?
What a horrible cba to allows players to build dream teams together but not public ally request a trade?! Wowwwwwwww
He’s lucky the league can’t fine him for being stupid. It seems that LBJ was able to keep this guy focused. Now he’s like an emotionally imbalanced kid without his Ritalin.
Dan Gilbert says he is confident that Koby Altman and Larry Drew Jr. will come to an agreement. He is staying out of it.
Does someone know how this is different from Butler demanding a trade and that is fine?
Butler has never publicly stated he wants to be traded.
Actually he has
You sure? Even in that big interview with Rachel Nichols, she goes out of her way to mention the CBA rule about not being able to publicly request a trade and makes sure he doesn’t actually have to say it. She just asks him about why he’s dissatisfied with his situation.