Nico Harrison, already under fire for trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers in February, is facing renewed criticism—this time, for a move that’s benefiting the New York Knicks.
In a decision that shocked many in 2023, Harrison fired Casey Smith, the Mavericks’ long-time director of health and performance. Smith had been with Dallas since 2004, developed close ties with franchise legends like Dirk Nowitzki and Dončić, and was widely respected across the league. Along with him, former Mavs athletic trainer Heather Mau also parted ways with the team.
The Knicks quickly scooped up both Smith and Mau ahead of the 2024-25 season, appointing Smith as their VP of Sports Medicine. That move has paid immediate dividends: the Knicks’ training staff was just named the NBA’s Athletic Training Staff of the Year by the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association.
Dallas’ Loss, New York’s Gain
While New York now prepares for its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, Dallas is already in offseason mode—again. Injuries plagued the Mavericks this past season, with Dereck Lively II notably misdiagnosed initially before further testing revealed a stress fracture. That incident contributed to the firing of current head athletic trainer Dionne Calhoun and athletic performance director Keith Belton—both of whom had replaced Smith and Mau.
Meanwhile, in New York, players like Jalen Brunson (another former Maverick) are thriving under the guidance of the revamped medical team. After a scary-looking ankle injury in March, Brunson was back on the court within a month, and he credited Smith and Mau for helping him recover quickly. It’s widely believed that Brunson played a role in bringing his former trainers to New York.
Knicks Reap the Benefits of Harrison’s Decisions
The contrast between the two franchises is stark: New York is healthy and surging in the playoffs, while Dallas is facing another round of questions about internal decisions and player health. And ironically, the Knicks have Nico Harrison to thank for one of their most valuable assets—an elite training staff that’s helping fuel their deep postseason run.
It’s yet another example of how Harrison’s decisions continue to backfire on the Mavericks, even when they’re 1,500 miles away.
