Clippers Trade For Danilo Gallinari

By Connor Aylward
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Updated: July 4, 2017

After much speculation the deal is finally completed. The Los Angeles Clippers wrapped up a trade on July 4th bringing Small Forward Danilo Gallinari to the squad from the Denver Nuggets.

Gallinari and the Clippers had been discussing the terms of a deal for days before this was complete and it became a bit more complicated when the team needed to clear up some space to make it all work. The idea of Gallinari signing with the Nuggets and then being traded to the Clippers wasn’t as easy as it sounds.

Due to cap constraints, a third team would need to be added and Los Angeles would have to clear some space of their own. Enter the Atlanta Hawks. Jamal Crawford has been on the chopping block for sometime now, with his age (37) and big contract he was an easy trade piece for the Clippers. That wasn’t all the Clippers would have to give up for the 28 year-old Italian born forward. Center Diamond Stone and the first round pick acquired from the Houston Rockets in the Chris Paul trade went to Atlanta as well. Denver in turn just got a second-round draft pick when it was all said and done.

So did the Clippers give up too much?

Gallinari is a versatile forward who has the ability to play either the three or four spots. At 6’10” 225 lbs his size won’t be an issue at either spot. He has career averages of 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. But last season proved to be one of his best as he racked up and average of 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and a career high 39% from three point range.

In short, they gave up a lot for Gallinari but statistically he appears to look worth the big haul. However Galinarri does come with an injury history that has really hampered his career. He’s never played in all 82 games and has played in 70 or more just 2 times in his 11 year NBA career. So getting a player with injury concerns for the right price becomes the next question.

Sources: The Clippers have reached agreement on a three-team deal to acquire free agent Danilo Gallinari on a three-year, $65M contract.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2017

The team intends to give Gallinari a big role immediately as Forward Blake Griffin is hampered with an injury of his own that may keep him out for the start of the season. With that being said, the money being paid to Gallinari seems to be a fair price. This deal will make him the 7th highest paid Small Forward in the league next season, with Chandler Parsons and Paul George being 6th and 8th respectively according to Spotrac. While George’s contract is a bargain for Oklahoma City this season, he stands to command plenty more next year and Parsons has not given Dallas the return they hoped for when they doled out such a big salary.

Only time will tell if Gallinari is the right fit for Los Angeles. With Griffin and DeAndre Jordan alongside the new trio appear to be one of the most terrorizing frontcourts in the NBA next season.

Thanks for reading along Clipper Nation and happy Fourth of July!

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