LAS VEGAS — The Kristaps Porzingis trade netted cap space that didn’t ultimately net a superstar joining the squad.
But it netted young point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who revealed Saturday he has spent his first Knicks offseason in North Carolina working diligently with assistant coach Keith Smart on changing the mechanics of his shot.
The No. 9-overall pick of the 2017 draft, Smith says his improvement as an outside shotmaker could prove the difference in having the Knicks vie for a playoff berth after last year’s 17-65 disgrace. He is a career 31.6-percent 3-point shooter.
“It’s a big difference,’’ Smith said after dropping in at summer league.