What is the biggest question facing Danilo Gallinari ahead of this season?

The OKC Thunder are about to enter arguably their most interesting season yet. The most intriguing component accompanies Danilo Gallinari, who has one big question to answer this season.

The OKC Thunder traded Paul George to the L.A. Clippers for a historic haul this offseason. Included in that massive return of assets, is Danilo Gallinari. After the OKC Thunder also shipped off the face of the franchise Russell Westbrook, one could assume the team will be looking to miss the playoffs this season to help their draft position.

However, this roster, as currently constructed is not that bad. In fact, it has a real shot to make the playoffs if you roll the ball out there and play 82 games with this roster at full strength. That is a lofty dream, not only due to injury concerns but because it is all but a given that the Thunder will eventually deal Danilo Gallinari for even more assets before the February trade deadline.

Still, though that move is not expected to happen until at the earliest December, I would place my money on a trade unfolding down to the wire of the aforementioned NBA trade deadline.

So, to continue our one big question series, what is the one main query Danilo Gallinari must answer?

Well, we have touched on it in both Sam Presti‘s and Chris Paul‘s one question articles in one way or another.

If we all agree this Thunder team is looking ahead to the betterment of the future, and not the short term success of possibly making the 8th seed and being bounced in the first round…again, by the titans of the western conference, Gallinari’s one big question ahead of the 2019-20 season becomes pretty simple.

Will Gallinari stay healthy long enough to command a solid return?

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In Chris Paul’s article, I stayed away from questioning health, for reasons I outlined there. However, Danilo Gallinari is in a different situation.

He does not need to prove his long term health to benefit the OKC Thunder in trade talks. He just simply needs to stay healthy until at the latest February for the Thunder to cash in.

However, that is easier said than done. Gallinari has not played in 70 or more games since 2012-13, the year before he tore his ACL. Since then, the 34-year-old forward has played in no more than 68 games.

Luckily for the Thunder, that high water mark since 2012-13 came a year ago with the Clippers. If Gallinari can duplicate that, while also being healthy in the December-February range when the trade market will heat up, that is the best possible outcome for the Thunder.

Contenders will be lining up to grab the career 37 percent 3 point shooter, including a 43 percent mark from deep a year ago.

The OKC Thunder will likely do their part as well, hopefully participating in the new NBA trend of “load management” for their aging asset who is on an expiring contract.

With the projections calling for the most contenders than I can remember, especially out west, the problem does not lie with finding a match, just the health for the sharpshooting wing.

Let us know in the comments what you think would be a good deal for Danilo Gallinari.