DALLAS — Dennis Smith Jr. flew into Big D Thursday night.
Smith, the Knicks’ key piece in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, has been away from the club for 11 days while mourning the death of his stepmother in North Carolina. He could dress in an emergency Friday night when the Knicks play the Mavericks, but coach David Fizdale said Smith is probably a few games from playing meaningful action.
For now, Smith remains the poster boy for a Porzingis trade that has gone bad. Smith has yet to pan out, struggling before his leave of absence.