CLEVELAND -- For the second time this season, J.R. Smith has fallen out of the Cleveland Cavaliers' rotation.
And the 15th-year swingman apparently isn't happy about it.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst, Smith was upset upon being informed that he no longer has a spot in the Cavs' rotation following the Sunday firing of Tyronn Lue. So much so, that he "considered taking some time away from the team," according to Wojnarowski and Windhorst, citing team sources.
Smith ultimately opted not to take a leave of absence -- at least not yet -- and was present on the bench for Cleveland's 136-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. It marked the second time this season that he has not played when healthy, with guard David Nwaba receiving 8-plus minutes off the bench in his place against Atlanta.
Unlike Smith's first removal -- which also came prior to a home game against the Hawks -- fellow veteran swingman Kyle Korver remained a part of Cleveland's rotation. According to Wojnarowski and Windhorst, however, that may not be the case for long, as the Cavs have begun exploring the trade market for the 16th-year sharpshooter, who ranks fourth all-time in NBA three-point shooting.
Following the offseason departure of LeBron James and what is now a 1-6 start to the season, Cleveland appears headed for a youth movement, favoring players such as Jordan Clarkson, Cedi Osman, Sam Dekker, Rodney Hood and Nwaba over the likes of Smith. In four appearances this season, the 33-year-old Smith has averaged 2.5 points on .231 percent shooting.
Per Windhorst and Wojnarowski, in addition to Korver, the Cavs could consider trading another number of veterans remaining on their roster. Smith entered this season with two years and $30.4 million remaining on his contract, although only $3.87 million of his $15.86 million salary next season is guaranteed.
After beating the Hawks on Tuesday, the Cavs will return to action on Tuesday when they host the Denver Nuggets at 7 p.m. ET.