The former Boston forward, Danilo Gallinari, made his comeback to the free agency market over eight months after the Celtics moved him. This time, he did so after negotiating a buyout after being dealt on deadline to the Pistons.
The 35-year-old Gallinari began the season with the Wizards. However, Washington promptly found themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, with little chance of making a deep run this year. This led to Gallinari being moved to an 8-46 Detroit squad to a similar position, allowing the 16-year veteran to choose his next landing location.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN claims that Gallinari made that choice and completed an agreement with the Bucks on Thursday. Gallinari reunites with former head coach Doc Rivers, who mentored him during a two-year tenure with the Clippers, by selecting Milwaukee over the rumoured alternatives (Clippers, Bulls, and Cavaliers).
Midway through the Milwaukee Bucks’ season, both Rivers and Gallinari boarded the team, and now they are set to square off against the NBA’s greatest team, the 43-12 Celtics, with whom Rivers and Gallinari had separate stays during their NBA careers.
With the Bucks, who dropped from the No. 2 position in the Eastern Conference to the third spot with Adrian Gryphon, Rivers has had a difficult start to the season, finishing 3-6. It’s not a huge dip, but it’s still a setback that should be noted because Rivers has a history of underperforming as the head coach since leaving Boston in 2013.
Prior to last season’s Opening Night, Gallinari had a season-ending ACL injury while competing in the FIBA tournament, so he was unable to establish himself as a member of Boston’s championship-contending core. It was evident that the Celtics signed him to a two-year contract with the intention of acquiring an upgrade in depth, particularly in the area of size and outside shooting as a reserve.
The Bucks cut ties with Robin Lopez, who played no part for Milwaukee. However, Gallinari, a 38.2% career three-point shooter, might provide Rivers with some productive bench time. After cutting ties with Jrue Holiday in the offseason, Gallinari’s 6-foot-10 frame fits the Bucks and their efforts to forge a defensive identity.
Gallinari had the option to return to the Celtics, who could have signed a buyout free agent to fill the vacancy on their roster. Although Gallinari’s $6.8 million budget exceeded Boston’s $12.4 million cap, the two teams will inevitably come into contact. Maybe even during the postseason.
