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In an press conference where he was promoting the partnership of the NBA and UBI Banca, Danilo Gallinari told the assembled media that he refused a trade that would have sent him away from the Denver Nuggets at last season’s trade deadline.
“Last year in Denver I am very well, there was the chance to go to some other team before the February deadline, but I refused,” Gallinari said in his native Italian which has since been translated. “If I return to Italy would again Olimpia but with the intention of winning, I do not like the idea of nostalgic return.”
Last season Gallinari’s name was the subject of trade rumors that had the 28-year-old shipping up to Boston Celtics and out to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Celtics have reportedly been enamored with Gallinari for some time now while the Clippers deal would have involved Blake Griffin, Gallinari and other moving parts.
Gallinari’s comments reflect positively on an organization that received similar praise from forward Darrell Arthur last year. Arthur, like Gallinari had a chance to join a contender at last season’s deadline but expressed to the Nuggets his desire stay in Denver.
The second part of that quote is interesting as well, as Gallinari addressed rumors of a potential return to Europe. I wouldn’t read into it too much.
Gallinari is due to make $15 million in 2015-16 and has a player option for $16.1 million the following season, which many have predicted he will decline. He of course renegotiated and extended his contract last summer giving the Nuggets the financial flexibility they needed to go after Dwyane Wade and other free agents this summer and beyond. Gallinari also has a 15 percent trade kicker worked into his contract which could deter the Nuggets from trading him as well.
The 6-foot-10 swingman is healthy and coming off a busy summer where he played for the Italian National Team but failed to qualify them for the recent Rio Olympics. He’s healthy and ready for an crucial season where the Nuggets need to show that they’re taking steps towards the playoffs, a goal that will fall largely on Gallinari’s shoulders.
Gallinari also shared some candid thoughts on his 4.5 year-run with the Nuggets at a recent Italian NBA Fan Zone.
“It took eight years in the US, this will be my ninth season in the NBA,” said Gallinari. “I consider myself fortunate to have realized the dream with all the children playing basketball. Now my goal is to win something in Denver, playing there for five years now and I love it , I am very well and I hope to win with the Nuggets . Although they are now fashionable these “super-computers” as Golden State and Cleveland, win in Denver this season will be very difficult for everyone.”
