J.R. Smith has been nothing but trouble for the New York Knicks since they signed him 2012. After getting suspended for failing NBA drug tests and getting called out by Rihanna “clubbing every night,” Smith recently made news for being fined $50,000 over “recurring instances of unsportsmanlike conduct” involving other players’ shoelaces. (RELATED: JR Smith fined for shoelace prank because NBA has no sense of humor)
Now there is talk that the Knicks are trying to find a team interested in taking Smith off their hands in return for a player who might perform better. Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv asked an unnamed executive for a rival NBA team if Smith had any potential prospects.
The executive responded, “Is it April Fool’s Day?” They continued, “Of course [they want to trade him], but only an idiot would take him. Can Steve Mills trade him to himself?”
Another general manager snarked, “I hear Shanghai has a spot.” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said he would be meeting with Smith on Thursday. He said, “It’s unprofessional about how he’s approached this whole thing. Something’s gotta be done. It has to stop. I’ll address it when I see him, and then we’ll go from there.”
Smith got in hot water Sunday when he untied the shoelace of the Mavericks’ Shawn Marion during a foul-shot lineup. (RELATED: JR Smith wins most creative defensive move against Mavericks [VIDEO])