Danilo Gallinari: "I would love to end my career in Denver...have my jersey retired at Pepsi Center"

In an interview with Altitude’s Vic Lombardi, Danilo Gallinari said he wants to have his jersey retired in Denver and play with the Nuggets for the rest of his career.

“I would love to end my career in Denver,” Gallinari said. “I would love to see when I’m older my jersey retired at the Pepsi Center. I would love all that. Is it going to happen? I hope so. I don’t know.”

In a separate interview, Gallinari spoke about the city of Denver and how he’ll be living there after his playing days are over.

“I do (want to stay in Denver). Denver is my favorite city, so hopefully I’ll be able to stay there,” Gallinari said. “It is a great city. I love the city. It’s the city where I’m going to live when I’m done playing basketball. So I love Denver and I really hope I can stay there.”

Gallinari has a $16.1 million player option this summer and could enter free agency where he would surely draw some intriguing offers from other teams. The 28-year-old swingman is averaging 17.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists for Denver this year. Gallinari reportedly could be out through the All-Star break, with a left groin strain that has caused him to miss the Nuggets’ past five games.

(H/T Jeff Morton @KingOfThornton)