Danilo Gallinari will sign with either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Los Angeles Clippers, as reported by the Pat Bev Podcast. The podcast is hosted by the Bucks’ very own point guard, Patrick Beverley.
Gallinari had previously been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.
NBA News: Danilo Gallinari to Choose Between Two Contenders
Danilo Gallinari This Season
Now in his 15th year in the NBA, Gallinari most recently played for the Detroit Pistons after having been traded from the Washington Wizards less than a month ago.
He is averaging 7.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in limited playing time.
The 35 year-old has long been one of the league’s most underrated players, with career averages of 15.2 points on 38.2% shooting from deep. His sharpshooting and playoff experience would prove valuable for a team with title aspirations.
Gallinari to Milwaukee?
The Bucks are in the early days of the Doc Rivers era. Following Adrian Griffin‘s departure, Rivers was immediately hired as head coach.
His first game was a 107-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets on January 29th. Since then, Milwaukee has gone 3-5. Despite Giannis Antentokounmpo putting up another MVP-caliber campaign, the Bucks have struggled as of late.
Multiple players were linked to Milwaukee prior to the trade deadline, but the Bucks mostly stayed put, opting to only make one trade. That trade saw Cameron Payne head to Philadelphia in exchange for Beverley.
Milwaukee is 35-20, good for third in the Eastern Conference.
If he signs with Rivers’ team, Gallinari would join a crowded front-court. The Bucks’ rotation already features Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, and Jae Crowder.
Gallinari would have to significantly outperform expectations to lock down a featured role in Milwaukee.
Gallinari to Los Angeles?
Last night, the near full-strength Golden State Warriors were up 12 points on the Clippers in the fourth quarter. Yet the Clippers(without Kawhi Leonard) managed to come from behind for an improbable 130-125 victory against a team that had won five games in a row.
Another impressive result for the Clippers continues to strengthen their case as one of the favorites to reach the NBA Finals. They are now 1.5 games back of the first seed in the Western Conference, with a record of 36-17.
The return of Gallinari would certainly be a welcome addition for Clippers fans. The veteran forward enjoyed a successful first stint in Los Angeles, from 2017 to 2019.
In his second season with the team, Gallinari averaged a career-best 19.8 points, helping the rebuilding Clippers reach the playoffs. They pushed the eventual Western Conference champion Warriors to six games, defying expectations for a team that had recently moved on from Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Already employing Daniel Theis, Ivica Zubac, and Mason Plumlee, the Clippers are in need of a stretch big. Gallinari could certainly fill that void.
The Italian’s strong connection with the Clippers fanbase and organization would make for a seamless transition as the team looks to reach the NBA Finals.
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