In the summer of 2023, Nico Harrison began reshaping the Dallas Mavericks’ health and performance department, however they would reap the rewards in the form of an injury crisis. This change followed a disappointing lottery season and began quietly, but its consequences became explosive. The dismissal of longtime head athletic trainer Casey Smith shocked many inside and outside the organization. Tim MacMahon of ESPN revealed this in an explosive article on Monday morning.
SHOCKING: How Nico Harrison’s Need For ‘Yes Men’ Caused Mavs Injury Crisis
Smith had served the team for nearly 20 years. He even played key roles with Team USA’s Olympic gold medal squads in 2008 and 2012. But according to sources, Harrison labeled Smith “too negative.” Insiders interpreted that as Smith refusing to be a “yes man.”
“He was 100 percent threatened by him,” a team source told ESPN. Harrison allegedly saw Smith as a powerful voice and wanted to establish control. That decision marked the start of a two-year shift toward a new, less experienced health team—one that ultimately failed.
The Departure of Trusted Experts
Smith wasn’t the only casualty. Jeremy Holsopple, named the NBA’s Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2021, and manual therapist Casey Spangler were also let go. All three had played critical roles in helping Luka Dončić adjust to life in the NBA.
Players trusted them. Dončić considered them confidants. Still, Harrison reportedly viewed them as “enablers.” His response? Replace them.
The team didn’t bring in a full-time manual therapist this season. That gap may have contributed to multiple mishandled injuries. Dallas barely fielded a minimum roster during certain games due to injuries, even as they clawed to secure a play-in spot with a 39-43 record.
The Lively Incident: A Sign of Deeper Problems
The dysfunction surfaced publicly with how the Mavericks handled Dereck Lively II’s injury. In January, athletic performance director Keith Belton pushed for Lively’s return. But Johann Bilsborough, director of player health and performance, called for further testing. That CT scan revealed a stress fracture.
Lively missed two and a half months. A team source bluntly said, “Somebody should be fired for that.” But Harrison spun the outcome as proof of the staff’s strength.
He claimed, “We avoided a catastrophic injury.” Yet, behind the scenes, the event led to a heated argument between Belton and Bilsborough—caught on camera and confirmed by multiple sources.
Dysfunction at the Top
The roots of the conflict went deeper. Harrison hired Belton before Bilsborough, even though Bilsborough would run the department. This move created tension from the start.
Belton lacked the required NBA strength certifications. The league temporarily approved his College Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association credential, but only with the expectation he’d get certified soon after. Belton, a former NFL fullback, had never worked in the NBA.
Critics within the team called Belton a “glorified cheerleader.” They claimed he lacked the expertise needed for such a crucial role. More troubling, he often clashed with Bilsborough and refused to collaborate.
One source said, “You can’t do what he’s done and not put a player more at risk.”
A Pattern of Division
Bilsborough, while academically accomplished, has developed a reputation for being divisive. In Boston, where he previously served as director of sports science, he reportedly created a split culture. Staff picked sides—either with Bilsborough or his colleague Art Horne. Communication broke down, and Bilsborough left after three years.
The same cold war dynamic seemed to follow him to Dallas, with Belton now playing the role of his counterpart. Their friction spilled into daily operations, undermining team health and unity.
Brunson’s Testimony: A Look Back at What Was Lost
Former Maverick Jalen Brunson offered an emotional reminder of what the team gave up. On JJ Redick’s podcast, he fondly recalled “the Caseys”—a nickname for Holsopple and Spangler—and expressed how much he missed them after signing with the Knicks.
Redick himself, despite spending only two months in Dallas, said he remained in a group chat with those former staffers. That lasting bond spoke volumes.
The Bottom Line: Nico Harrison’s Need for Yes Men Doomed Mavs to an Injury Crisis
The Mavericks hit rock bottom when they were struggling to meet up with the minimum eight-man slot. The team signed Kai Jones to a 10-day contract. That deal was upgraded to a two-way contract for the remainder of the season.
Harrison has stated that the team has a championship window of three, four years. His desire to restructure the Mavs health and performance department inadvertently led to an injury crisis that derailed the first year of said window. Kyrie Irving’s injury threatens to derail next season but a restructured contract could salvage it. Irving hopes to return in early 2026. There’s no guarantee that he will immediately play like himself after a length absence. This is the perplexing situation Harrison has created inadvertently.
Harrison prioritized loyalty over experience and collaboration. The result? An injury-riddled season, internal chaos, and lost trust from players. Harrison gambled on control. What he got was crisis.
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