The Miami Heat could sign Danilo Gallinari after the veteran gets bought out by the Washington Wizards, according to NBA insider Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
The Boston Celtics traded Gallinari to the Washington Wizards in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. The Wizards are not expected to keep Gallinari since they are rebuilding under new president Michael Winger.
“One league source mentioned veteran forward Danilo Gallinari as a Heat possibility if he receives an expected buyout from Washington,” Jackson wrote. “Yahoo’s Jake Fischer said a buyout is likely. Gallinari missed all of last season after sustaining a torn ACL in World Cup play for Italy. Washington last week received Gallinari from the Boston Celtics as part of the package for Kristaps Porzingis.”
Gallinari signed a two-year, $13.8 million deal with the Celtics last summer in unrestricted free agency. However, he missed the entire 2022-23 season after tearing his left ACL during a FIBA qualifying game in August 2022.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Danilo Gallinari & Miami Heat Updates
The Celtics were granted a $3.3 million disabled player exception after Gallinari got hurt. Boston won 57 games during the regular season under first-year head coach Joe Mazzulla and reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Cs lost to the Heat in seven games.
Gallinari has career averages of 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 42.8% from the field, 38.2% from beyond the arc and 87.7% from the free-throw line. The 34-year-old has played for the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Hawks.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Danilo Gallinari & Miami Heat Updates
The Heat almost traded for Gallinari in 2020. However, the Thunder traded the Italy native to the Hawks. It will be interesting to see if Miami is able to land Gallinari this offseason. The stretch shooter will likely command a vet minimum contract on the open market since he missed all of last season.
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