Danilo Gallinari Joining Championship Contender

The Pat Bev Podcast had previously broken the news that Gallinari was choosing between the Bucks and the Los Angeles Clippers. Charania revealed that he was also considering the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls.

NBA News: Danilo Gallinari Joining Milwaukee Bucks

Turbulent Seasons

Gallinari’s past few seasons have been anything but smooth. The veteran signed a two-year, $13.3 million deal with the Boston Celtics in the summer of 2022. He was expected to be an important role player on the contending Celtics.

On September 2nd, however, Gallinari suffered a torn ACL while representing the Italian national team in a FIBA World Cup qualifier. This was the second torn ACL injury of Gallinari’s career, the first coming in 2013 with the Denver Nuggets.

He missed the entire 2022-23 season, and ended up being sent to the Washington Wizards as part of the Kristaps Porziņģis trade.

Gallinari in 2023-24

During his time in D.C., Gallinari was mainly used as a reserve, and averaged single-digit points for the first time since his rookie season in 2008-09.

On January 14th, Gallinari was on the move yet again. The Wizards decided to trade him to the Detroit Pistons. After appearing in six games for Detroit, including a 20-point effort against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was waived and entered free agency.

The Italian is primarily used a stretch big at this point in his career. Having always been renowned for his three-point shooting, Gallinari is a career 38.2% shooter from beyond the arc.

Gallinari had previously been linked to the Phoenix Suns, as reported by the Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin. The Suns already utilized the buy-out market, signing the veteran Thaddeus Young.

Gallinari Career

The New York Knicks drafted “Gallo” in 2008. He was then was traded to the Nuggets in 2011 as part of the infamous Carmelo Anthony trade. Gallinari flourished in Denver, spending six years in the Mile High City.

He joined the Clippers as a free agent in 2017, and averaged a career-high 19.8 points per game during the 2018-19 season. He has since bounced around the league, including fruitful stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks.

A prolific scorer, Gallinari has averaged 15 points or more eight times in his career.

Bucks Outlook

Gallinari will join a Bucks team that is currently third in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 35-20.

His first chance to suit up for his new team will come on February 23, when Milwaukee will hit the road to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.