After being unable to find a landing spot for him at the trade deadline, the Detroit Pistons waived veteran forward Danilo Gallinari. Upon hitting the open market, he garnered interest from multiple teams. However, Gallinari opted to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks for the remained of this season.
In a recent rumor roundup for HoopsHype, Michael Scotto detailed what led to Gallinari signing with the Bucks over someone else. Aside from Milwaukee, the LA Clippers were another team with serious interest.
One of the key factors that led to Gallinari's decision was reuniting with one of his former head coaches in Doc Rivers. During his brief time with the Clippers, he had the best scoring season of his career. In 2019, Gallinari averaged 19.8 PPG on 43.3% shooting from beyond the arc.
Along with playing for Rivers again, a larger role with the Bucks was a key factor that led to Gallinari joining Milwaukee over LA.
"Gallinari debated back and forth on the decision for days between the Bucks and Clippers. The Italian forward weighed a reunion with former coach Doc Rivers, whom he averaged a career-high 19.8 points under, shot a career-best 46.3 percent from the field, and averaged a career-high 6.1 rebounds during their time with the Clippers. Now, Rivers offered the potential for a bigger role with the Bucks versus a return to Los Angeles," Scotto wrote.
Gallinari began the season with the Washington Wizards, but was traded to the Pistons in January. He played in six games for Detroit, averaging just under nine points per game. Now in Milwaukee, Gallinari has a chance to contend for a title playing alongside Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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