Danilo Gallinari has become somewhat of a forgotten man. Playing on a rebuilding Nuggets squad has kept Gallinari out of the spotlight. Missing a bevy of games due to injuries has not helped either.
Gallinari is now 28 years old and in his prime. It would make sense if he wanted to be on a team where his contributions could lead to some success. No one would fault the small forward for requesting a trade from his current situation.
But Gallo seems to be taking a much different approach. The Italian forward revealed at an event in Milan on Sunday that he declined some trades before the deadline last year, according to Sportando. Instead, Gallinari chose to stay in Denver where he has played the last four and a half seasons:
“In Denver I am very well, there was a chance last year to go to some other team before the deadline in February, but I refused. It made no sense to go at that time”.
Sportando reports that the Celtics were interested in Gallinari. It’s no secret that Boston has been looking to add impact players by trading its bevy of draft picks.
Gallinari doesn’t have a no trade clause so his declining of trade scenarios is relative. The Nuggets may have shopped him without getting any great returns. Gallo may have told them he doesn’t need to be traded.
Nevertheless, what matters now is that Danilo Gallinari will be staying in Denver for the foreseeable future. If his health improves, he can be a great player and a great mentor for the young players on the roster.
