J.R. Smith falling out of New York Knicks’ favor

Smith received a “DNP - Coach’s Decision” Tuesday and told reporters after the game he didn’t know why he was benched an entire contest for the second time in four games. Smith has had a troubled follow-up season to his Sixth Man of the Year campaign, shooting a career-low field goal percentage while attempting 11.8 shots per game.

The Knicks are reportedly considering trading the mercurial shooting guard after his on and off the court troubles have begun to outweigh his on-court production. Smith is eligible to be traded as of Jan. 15, though it’s unclear if other teams around the NBA will be interested in taking his issues, along with his multi-year salary, off of the Knicks’ hands.

And Smith isn’t the only one who’s confused. The same feeling seems to be permeating through the locker room, where team veterans are reportedly sharing the same sentiment as their teammate. Confusion abounds around the Knicks’ clubhouse.

If it doesn’t work out in New York, maybe the city in which they played tonight would be a little more inviting.

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