Over the course of his 14-year NBA career, J.R. Smith has amassed more than $700,000 in fines.
If the Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard doesn't find some new legwear in time for the upcoming season, he'll likely be adding to that total.
Over this past offseason, Smith added yet another tattoo to what's already an impressive collection. As was documented on social media this past summer, the Cleveland fan favorite got the logo for the streetwear brand 'Supreme' inked on the back of his right leg.
There's only one problem: the NBA has an exclusive apparel deal with Nike, which went into effect last season. As a result -- and per the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and the league -- Smith can be fined if he fails to cover up the tattoo during official NBA action.
As one would imagine, news of the potential fines didn't sit well with Smith, who has forfeited pay for reasons ranging from technical fouls to fighting to social media violations over the course of his 14-year career. On Friday, the 33-year-old took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the matter/
"I swear I’m the only person they do s--t like this to! So you mean to tell me i have to cover up my tattoo for what?" Smith wrote. "You don’t make people cover up Jordan logos NIKE checks or anything else but because it’s me it’s a problem all of a sudden!!!"
This isn't the first time Smith has tested the limits of the NBA's partnership with Nike -- with whom he has an official endorsement deal with. Last season, during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, he donned a Supreme shooting sleeve on his left arm, although the accessory was a part of the company's collaboration with Nike.
Nevertheless, that marked the first and only appearance the Supreme sleeve made on Smith's arm last season. It appears he has now found a more permanent way to support the company.
But as it turns out, doing so will likely come at a price.
