OKC Thunder: Danilo Gallinari contract and season grades

Danilo Gallinari came to the OKC Thunder in the Paul George trade. Let’s take a look at how his season went – grades.

Sharp-shooting stretch-four Danilo Gallinari was almost considered a throw-in piece when the OKC Thunder traded Paul George last summer. There were so many goodies that came back to the Thunder thanks to this deal.

They got a record haul of draft picks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a player many have slated as the future of the Thunder. Gallinari showed us all that he was still a force in the NBA and was one of the key pieces of the Thunder’s incredible season.

The big Italian has been in the league for 11 years and has only played more than 70 games in one season. This season, thanks to the great management by the coaching staff, Gallinari was on track to achieve that for a second time had it not been for the COVID-19 hiatus.

Danilo Gallinari’s season by the numbers for the OKC Thunder

Gallinari averaged 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.7 steals in 29.6 minutes per game. He shot the ball at an elite level, going 43.8 percent from the floor, 40.5 percent from deep, and 89.3 percent from the line. This is not far from joining the 50/40/90 club.

His shooting was so good that his 178 made 3-point field goals was the 16th most in the NBA last season. His 40.6 percent from deep was good enough for19th in the NBA. However, it was his 89.3 percent from the line was the highlight of his season. This was good enough for sixth in the league.

All of this makes Gallinari a very attractive offseason target for most of the NBA. He is a free agent and while the Thunder would love to have him back, he will be chased hard. Such is his quality and the lack of depth in this free agent class. The Thunder can hope they sign him, either to keep or trade him, to get something back.