The unfortunate JR Smith wants the Cavaliers to trade him

The No. 5 JR Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after slightly missing the shot from half the field during warm-ups before the match against the Atlanta Hawks at the Quicken Loans Arena on October 21, 2018 in Cleveland, in the # 39; Ohio. Jason Miller / Getty Images / AFP

CLEVELAND – J.R. Smith has added another level to the growing problems of the Cavaliers.

Abandoned from the rotation and unhappy with his role in a team rebuilding through the youth, Smith said Thursday that he wanted to be traded. The enigmatic guard said he had not formally requested an exchange at the Cleveland reception because the Cavs were already aware of his feelings.

"They know," Smith said after the shoot. "They do not want me, so they obviously know it."

Smith, 33, said he was told earlier this season that the Cavs would be focused on playing with their youngest players to develop them for the future. Cleveland is back in the Eastern Conference after LeBron James left this summer as a free agent.

Smith did not play Tuesday night's win against Atlanta, his first match since coach Tyronn Lue was sacked after a 0-6 start. And although Smith realized his minutes would be drastically reduced – if he was not completely removed – he had trouble staying motivated.

"It's difficult," he said. "Fortunately, I had an excellent group of people, former teammates, former coaches, a lot of people in my ear who helped me get through this process. But at the end of the day, I can not take my teammates. No matter how difficult it is to walk around here and put it, no matter how difficult it may seem, to wear a Cavs shirt or shirt, I can not do that to my teammates.

"I can not do that to the fans."

The opening month was tough for the Cavs, who sent Lue back and thought he was replaced by assistant Larry Drew. However, Drew stated that he did not want the "interim" label unless he obtained insurance from the Cleveland office and the parties failed to reach an agreement on a restructured contract.

On top of that, star player Kevin Love should miss weeks with an injury to the toe.

Smith has brought a new challenge, but insists that he will be a professional.

"There are a lot of things going on here that I do not know the answer to, and I do not know why, but it is and I can not control that," he said. "I just care about what I can control, being a good veterinarian for these young guys who play – encourage them, help them as much as they want me to help. Otherwise, I'm saving time, I guess.

Smith has a heated relationship with fans in Cleveland, some of whom love his casual spirit while others blame him for losing the score in the final seconds of the first game of the NBA finals last year.

Smith, who is just one of three remaining Cavs on the 2016 title team, said he had the opportunity to leave the team through the Cleveland front-office.

"They asked me if I wanted to be part of the team and if I could not, I could leave and go home and do anything," he said. declared. "I can not do that to these fans, I can not do it in the city. Coming from where I come from, almost nothing in Cleveland and the way the city has kissed me, fans, the relationship I have with them, I can not do them that much.

"It's not about me, it's not about who wants me here and who does not want me here. For me, everything revolves around the fans. "

Smith's expensive deal prevents the Cavs from trading it now. He earns $ 14.7 million this season and his $ 15.6 million contract for 2019-20 is partially secured for $ 3.8 million.

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