Dallas Mavericks lose respected staff member to New York Knicks

Former Dallas Mavericks head athletic trainer Casey Smith is highly respected in the NBA scene and considered one of the best in the department. Now the athletic trainer is leaving Dallas for New York City to join the Knicks.

“The Knicks have hired Casey Smith, a longtime athletic trainer for both the Dallas Mavericks and USA Basketball, as their new vice president of sports medicine,” Marc Stein reported on X (formerly Twitter).

Although Smith played an integral role within the organization over the past two decades, beginning in 2004, the athletic trainer played a smaller role this past season, losing his spot traveling alongside the team and sitting on the bench.

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Following the reduced role, Smith was hired by the New York Knicks to serve as the team’s vice president of sports medicine. Smith also held a similar role with Team USA Basketball from 2005 to 2012, as he had a long, respected career with the Mavericks.

There may not be a better fit for Smith in his role than joining the Knicks. After the relationship with the Mavericks organization deteriorated, Smith is now heading to one of the most notable franchises in the NBA, one that needs his services.

The Knicks, led by former Mavericks star Jalen Brunson, recorded 50 wins last season. The problem? Their season fell short in the second round. They were riddled with injuries and missed the contributions of many key players in the second half of the regular season and during the playoffs.

Smith will now return to his high-profile behind-the-scenes role as the Mavericks formally part ways with his services in a move that will benefit both parties. The athletic trainer should have a positive impact in New York as Dallas looks to continue building a second banner.

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