Free Agent NBA Forward Danilo Gallinari Looking to Play One More Season Before Retiring

Former NBA first-round pick and forward Danilo Gallinari wants to play one more season in the NBA before he retires.

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In a recent interview with Mario Frongia of La Repubblica, the vet explained that he wants to play one more season in the NBA rather than head overseas.

“A return to Italy? Not yet,” Gallinari said.

“There is still time for [me in] the market, anything can happen at any time. Miami? It’s not my time yet, there are other free agents and we’ll decide later. It could be anywhere, as long as it’s a competitive franchise,” said Gallinari.

Gallinari spent the 2023-24 season with the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 5.7 points per game, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three last season. The 36-year-old missed the entire 2022-23 campaign while recovering from a torn ACL.

Prior to his significant injury, Gallinari was viewed as a major free-agent addition for the Boston Celtics. However, his injury changed everything as the Celtics decided to move on from his last summer, sending him to Washington as a part of the three-team deal for Kristaps Porzingis.

Gallinari appeared in 26 games for the Wizards before he was traded to the Pistons in January. However, he only played in six games for the Pistons before they waived him shortly after the trade deadline. He ended up signing with the Bucks in mid-February, but it was in a limited role. Gallinari only averaged 9.1 minutes in 17 games.

The Italian native started his professional career with Casalpusterlengo in 2004. Gallinari played four seasons overseas, specifically in his home country. After four years in Italy, Gallinari had an escape clause for playing professionally in the United States. Two months before the 2008 NBA Draft, he decided to declare himself for the draft. He also signed an endorsement deal with Reebok before being drafted into the NBA.

The New York Knicks selected Gallinari sixth overall in the 2008 draft, and he signed a two-year contract with the team. After three years in New York, Gallinari played for many teams, including the Denver Nuggets, who traded to acquire him as part of a three-team trade that brought Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to New York.

Gallinari also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Wizards, Pistons, and Bucks.

It’s unclear if anyone would want the 36-year-old with less than two months until the start of the NBA regular season.

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