OKC Thunder: Danilo Gallinari tweet hints his exit is forgone conclusion

OKC Thunder power forward Danilo Gallinari tweeted a message that hints he’s ready to move on to a new team in 2020-21.

It was arguably the most successful season Danilo Gallinari has experienced in the National Basketball Association. The Italian loved his time with the OKC Thunder often speaking publicly about how much he enjoyed playing with the team. Gallo also frequently spoke positively about veteran point guard and captain Chris Paul.

Heading into the offseason his future was up in the air as he enters free agency and his value will rank high given this class of free agents isn’t a loaded class. Many teams will covet Gallinari’s services as he represents a player who can spread the court and theoretically could be posted at small or power forward and even at the center position. Gallo did hint he was open to returning but a single tweet has altered that perspective.

Danilo Gallinari hints his time with OKC Thunder is over

In his one season with the Thunder, Gallinari posted game averages of 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. His 3-point excellence was a key to the OKC Thunder offense as he led the team with 7.1 perimeter attempts per game and also notched a team-high 40.1 percent efficiency.

What resonated throughout the season was the wide array of skills Gallo brought to the court and how much more effective the Thunder were when he was in the lineup. Case in point, Gallo led the team with an on-court offensive rating of 116.9 while the team fell to 100.3 when he sat for a differential of plus +16.6 points.

Gallo garnered so much attention in the playoffs he dropped to third in offensive efficiency behind Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala which speaks opposing teams game-planning for him.

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The thought was Gallo could be looking elsewhere in his free agency as he noted last season winning would take priority over money. However, many believed Sam Presti would be able to complete a sign and trade of the forward.

That may still be in the works but there was still a presumption Gallinari might be convinced to run it back the OKC Thunder. His tweet seems to indicate he’s already packed his bags.

To wit, the above tweet from Gallinari’s Twitter account says ‘Where to next?” asking his fans where he should go.

We’ll have to wait until free agency to learn these details but Thunder Nation should stay hopeful for a sign and trade. The prospect of losing Gallinari isn’t great but at least if Presti can pull off the sign and trade the franchise will get value back for the talented Italian.