J.R. Smith says he's been blackballed by NBA

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Sep 2, 2022 6:36 PM ET

36-year-old J.R. Smith, a veteran of 16 NBA seasons, hasn't played in the league since being a part of the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers championship squad.

If you ask Smith, he believes there's an undeniable reason he hasn't played in the NBA over the past two seasons.

In an interview with Complex Sports, Smith responded, "yeah, a hundred percent," when asked if he believes the NBA has blackballed him from the league.

"I mean, anybody can sit here and tell you that that's a fact," Smith said. "You got 30 teams -- give me the four through 15th men. Just the four through 15. Name one that's better than me."

Smith said several general managers had approached him, inquiring about why he wasn't currently on an NBA roster.

Per Smith, he isn't the only player to be shunned by the league. Smith names Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford, Nick Young and Isaiah Thomas as players the NBA wants to keep out.

Drafted 18th overall by the New Orleans Hornets in 2004, Smith has played for the Hornets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Lakers over his career. He has averaged 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals through 977 career NBA games.

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