NBA veteran J.R. Smith has been accused of choking a man who taunted him about once being traded from his hometown team, the New York Knicks.

The New York Daily News reports 19-year-old Justin Brown alleges LeBron James' current runningmate griped his hands around his neck after he chided him about being dealt last season by Phil Jackson and the Knicks.

Brown added all the drama started after he and friends approached Smith near the celebrity hangout 1 Oak asking to take a photo with them and he blew them off.

"That's why New York kicked you out, yo!" Brown told authorities he responded.

Not long after that, he alleges 6-foot-6, 225 pound Smith attacked him with the choke hold. A short time before the incident, Brown and his pals had taken a selfie nearby with Moroccan-born performer French Montana, an ex-boyfriend of Khloe Kardashian. Rapper Jeezy was also seen in the area interacting with fans.

Smith's lawyer, Alex Spiro, insists the claims are unfounded. "The allegation is completely false," he said.

Over the years, Smith has known more than his share of trouble, including instances where he has punched other players.

In 2009, he was sentenced to jail time in New Jersey over his involvement in a fatal collision. Three years later, he was again arrested in Florida on charges of driving without a valid license.

Smith was quoted in April reacting to the perils of celebrity partaking in the nightlife scene after Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha was subjected to a rough arrest for crime scene obstruction.

"For me, I feel like a target every time ... I try to handle myself with care when I'm out and about," he said.

Sefolosha, who was ultimately found not guilty, suffered a career-threatening leg injury in the ordeal and has since indicated he plans to file a $50 million suit against the NYPD.