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JR Smith, unhappy with his playing time, on Thursday said he hopes to be traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Yeah,” Smith said when asked if he was hoping for a trade. “They know. They don’t want me here, so they obviously know.”
On Tuesday, the Cavs informed Smith for the second time this season that he would be removed from the rotation and not receive guaranteed playing time, sources told ESPN. Smith was upset by the news and considered taking some time away from the team, sources said. But Smith decided to stay for the time being.
The 33-year-old Smith, a 14-year veteran who is making $14.7 million this season, has yet to play more than 20 minutes in a game this season and is averaging just 2.5 points and 1.0 rebound per game. He has two years left on his current contract.
Meanwhile, the Cavs have initiated testing the trade market for guard Kyle Korver in the last several days, sources said. There was some trade interest in Korver last summer and the Cavs are circling back on those talks.
Two games into the season, Smith and Korver were told they would be out of the rotation, sources said. Before he was fired, coach Ty Lue reversed that decision and elected to re-insert them into the lineup. The team then lost the next three games and Lue was fired.
Korver remained in the rotation on Tuesday night when the Cavs played the Atlanta Hawks.
The Cavaliers face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
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