OKC Thunder: Best sign and trade options for free agent Danilo Gallinari
Bucks:
The top Eastern powerhouse in the mix would be the Bucks. They’ll be more interested in Gallinari especially now that the Bogdan Bogdanovic deal fell through. Milwaukee needs to go all-in to keep Giannis and get him to sign that max deal so they’ll do whatever is necessary to make that happen.
If we look at what was on the table to bring in Bogdanovic that would be more than a little appealing to Presti especially youngster Donte DiVincenzo.
And in terms of the fit with the Bucks – consider the size he would offer Mike Budenholzer with a lineup featuring 6’3″ Jrue Holiday, 6’7″ Khris Middleton, 6’10” Gallo, 6’11 Antetokounmpo, and 7.0′ Brook Lopez (YIKES)
Raptors:
If another free agent exits an elite team it could open up opportunities for Gallo. That team is the Raptors who are dealing with three core players in free agency: Fred VanVleet, Marc Gasol, and Serge Ibaka. With title experience, each will garner offers from other teams. And while Toronto has a solid core and would likely bring all three back if they could, Masai Ujiri’s main goal is having the cap available to make the push for Antetokounmpo.
That means unless one of those players (likely Gasol) takes a huge pay cut only one or two will return. The thinking is VanVleet will be locked in as part of the future and Ibaka will likely be offered a big one-year deal with the view to revisiting again next summer while keeping room open to bring in Giannis too.
If another team swoops in to give Ibaka a deal he can’t refuse that would create an opening for Gallo in Toronto. Last season he noted how enjoyable his year was in OKC and Toronto has a very similar culture and strong team bond. Factor in the Dino’s came just short of moving onto the Eastern Conference Finals the year after winning the title and they could be one of the teams Gallo would give that bonus deal to.
The other factor that would make Toronto a good bet is Presti kind of owes Masai Ujiri for keeping quiet about the Paul George trade demand. If that information had leaked out the leverage Presti had with the Clippers’ negotiations would’ve greatly diminished. And, as per usual there are plenty of young talents on the Raptors and available draft picks that could be used to complete the deal (note to Presti – PLEASE grab Paul Watson).
Celtics:
With news of the Celtics Gordon Hayward opting out of his contract, Boston enters the mix. They need bigs as the loss to the Heat showcased in the Eastern Conference Finals. And, while Gallo isn’t necessarily a top-tier defender he can hold his own in a defensive system. Plus his ability to space the floor and playing alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker would make for a lethal offense.
That should certainly be appealing to Gallinari and while the Celts aren’t going to want to give up any of their stellar young talents they do have something else the Thunder covet — DRAFT PICKS!