Players’ Association executive director Billy Hunter Jr. is seething after the NBA fined Nate Robinson $25,000 yesterday for agent Aaron Goodwin’s published remarks in which he revealed his trade demand to Knicks president Donnie Walsh while taking shots at Mike D’Antoni.
Last night, Hunter told The Post, “Nate has never made any trade demand, nor has he asked his agent to do so. For the league to fine him under those circumstances is absolutely unfair and inappropriate, and we intend to challenge their discipline as aggressively as we can.”
Players’ Association spokesman Dan Wasserman said the union will appeal the fine because the remarks were not made by the player himself. It is believed unprecedented for a player to be fined over his agent’s comments.
Last night, an NBA spokesman said, “Players are not permitted to make trade requests publicly and are responsible for public statements related to them by their representatives.”
However, the union pointed out that, a day after the agent’s comments, Robinson tried to distance himself from Goodwin’s remarks, saying he “wanted to stay” and adding “Aaron is his own man.”
Goodwin said 10 days ago that Robinson’s benching was “personal.”
“I have asked the Knicks to move Nate,” Goodwin told The Post. “At this point, it’s personal. I didn’t think Mike [D’Antoni] has done anything to show it’s basketball-related.”
Goodwin added D’Antoni’s remark that he’d play Satan if it helped the Knicks win was “disrespectful” to Robinson.
“We fully intend to contest the fine in order to have it overturned in its entirety,” Wasserman said.
The fine was so bizarre, the union plans to raise the subject during ongoing collective bargaining.
According to a source, Robinson, who’s been benched 12 straight games, told NBA security in its interview that he did not authorize or realize Goodwin talked to the press about the trade demand.
The union also was stunned the fine came down 10 days after the remarks, feeling it was a delayed reaction.
The NBA said in its statement that Goodwin’s remarks were “statements detrimental to the NBA.”
Stephen Jackson also was fined $25,000 by the league for his trade demand, but he actually uttered it.
Walsh has stopped talking publicly about “Nate-Gate,” and even hinted Goodwin had pulled back slightly on his trade demand. However, sources said that is untrue, that Goodwin and Walsh are working for a way out and a buyout is still possible.
Despite the Knicks’ failing offense in the past two games — both losses — D’Antoni said neither Robinson nor Eddy Curry will be considered for the rotation any time soon. D’Antoni said the emphasis is on defense, which is Robinson’s weakness.