Danilo Gallinari Drew Interest From Clippers, Suns, Cavaliers, Bulls Before Signing With Bucks

According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Danilo Gallinari drew interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls before signing with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Gallinari was an unrestricted free agent after getting waived by the Detroit Pistons on February 8. 

“Before agreeing to a deal with the Bucks, Gallinari drew interest from several teams, including the Clippers, Suns, Cavaliers, and Bulls, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “Gallinari debated back and forth on the decision for days between the Bucks and Clippers.”

Gallinari played for Bucks head coach Doc Rivers on the Clippers. He was also teammates with new Milwaukee guard Patrick Beverley in LA. 

Gallinari has played for the Washington Wizards and Pistons this season. He’s averaging 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.2 blocks in 32 games while shooting 45.1% from the floor, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 85.0% from the free-throw line. 

The 35-year-old Gallinari has career NBA averages of 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Wizards and Pistons. He has tore his left ACL twice.

Gallinari was on the Boston Celtics in 2022-23, but the swingman missed the entire season after tearing his ACL in the summer while playing for Italy. 

Gallinari has appeared in 48 playoff games with the Nuggets, Clippers, Thunder and Hawks. He has career postseason averages of 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks. 

The Bucks are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 35-21. However, they are only 3-7 in the Rivers era. Thus far, it looks like Milwaukee’s front office made a mistake firing Adrian Griffin, who was 30-13. 

Gallinari will make his Bucks debut on February 23 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.