The Celtics may try to pick up Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari before Thursday’s trade deadline, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald.
Boston GM Danny Ainge has long been a fan of Gallinari, according to Bulpett, and has tried to deal for him before. There haven’t been any trade rumors linking the Celtics and Gallinari this year, but the author notes that was also true with Isaiah Thomas before Ainge dealt for him two years ago.
Gallinari has been slowed by a groin injury and hasn’t played since February 1st. He has a player option worth $16.1MM next season.
Boston is hoping to add another scorer through trade, and Ainge has been active in talks during All-Star Weekend, both as a main participant and a facilitator, according to Bulpett. So far, Ainge hasn’t found a deal worth giving up his most valuable assets, which include the Nets’ first-rounders this season and in 2018.
“Danny’s let it be known that he’s willing to talk about the Nets’ picks,” said an unidentified executive. “But you want one of those guys, you have to be willing to give up a star.”
Ainge would also prefer to stay away from players whose contracts expire this year or next year. The Celtics had some interest in Serge Ibaka before Orlando traded him to Toronto, but they weren’t willing to part with much because they weren’t sure they could re-sign him in free agency.
Bulpett adds that the Celtics are very protective of their cap space and are reluctant to make a move that would hurt them on the free agent market. He speculates that it would take someone like Jimmy Butler or Paul George to tempt Boston to add significant salary in a pre-deadline trade.
The Celtics are also significantly less interested in trading for Jahlil Okafor than they were a year ago, Bulpett notes. They had talked to the Sixers about an Okafor deal at last year’s deadline, but after signing Al Horford the Celtics only want front-line players who they believe are compatible with him. Boston might have more interest in Philadelphia’s Nerlens Noel, but the team won’t offer as much as it would have in 2016.
The author believes the Celtics would love to pick up Andrew Bogut from Dallas if the Mavericks decide to be sellers, but again wouldn’t pay a high price in a deal.
So what do they do with Crowder?
Galinarri would be the 6th man I imagine. Or they’d reduce Amir’s minutes and play them at the same time. Sorry for the wrong spelling on his name, I didn’t feel like scrolling back up to find out.
I don’t think that Brad Stevens would be keen on running a small starting line-up. It would be interesting though to see Crowder and Gallinari starting at the same time or probably one of them coming of the bench as a 6th man. But let’s not forget that the Celtics have this year’s Nets first round pick, which is going to be a top 5 , and this year’s draft class is pretty stacked with players like Harry Giles, Lauri Makkanen, Miles Bridges etc.
Gallinari is not coming off the bench you’re crazy
I personally agree. Gallinari is a pretty good player when healthy imo. Freak athlete who can shoot the ball while being 6’10.
Can Gallinari or Crowder play the 4?
Yeah in fact Crowder plays there a ton late in games when Smart and AB are healthy to go alongside IT.
You definitely don’t want Gallinari at the 4
I’ve never understood Ainge’s fascination with Gallinari. He’s a decent player, but I don’t see anything super special that sticks out.
Ummmmm….. I think it’s obvious…. K. Mchale, L. Bird, D. Ainge, B. Walton, T. Zeller, J. Jerebko, K. Olynyk… D. Gallinari… Need I say more?
Oh, please. Don’t turn this into a racial thing. He’s fantastic, and Gallo is a great scorer who he wouldn’t have to give up TOO much for to acquire.
Maybe he meant tall, lanky shooters?
Crowder, Rondo, KG, they want Jimmy Butler, Ray Allen, Bradley, D. Jackson, and if you want old players, how about Bill friggin Russell.
You actually do need to say more…
yes you need to say more, name the rest of the roster
Looks like Crowder and/or Bradley will be gone in a deal for a quality big, and replaced on the wing by Hayward (if they can sign him), Gallinari (if they can trade for him) an Jaylen Brown (if he also doesn’t go in the deal for a big).
Denver doesn’t want to trade cornerstones for the heck of it. Gallo wants to stay in Denver. Denver would trade for George, Butler or Love, but that is it. No other reason now that Jokic and Murray are future. Could give up Gallo, Chandler, Burton, Mudiay, Nelson for a star.
Not nearly enough long term upside in Gallo, Chandler, Nelson, or Barton to package them all in a deal for a star. Mudiay still has potential, but everyone is waiting for that still. I agree that Jokic and Murray are the future, but don’t expect a deal headlined by two or three of those guys. Probably going to need to give up Harris, Faried, and picks.
Then Nuggets should sit tight. Maybe Gallo for Roberson.
Unless there’s a contract issue, nobody trades star quality for non-star quantity in the NBA. Gallinari’s a real good player (and a good fit skill set wise) if and when he’s healthy. But if Ainge truly backed off Ibaka because he’s a FA at year’s end, then why would pursuing Gallo make sense? (he is a FA, in effect, as well, and he’s been injury prone). Denver was shopping him earlier, but that was pre-injury.
Galinari not getting enough love! He is underrated big time because he plays in Denver and has had injuries. Ask other players and coaches about him when he is healthy he is one of the most versatile all around players in the game. 6’10” can shoot the 3, drive and finish, post up, draws tons of fouls, great playmaker for his size, he is the perfect stretch 4, he is strong and long so he can defend big men and he is agile enough to guard on perimeter and challenge shots.
I wish he would go to a legit playoff team so he can show how good he is. Wilson chandler too is a great player, I’d love to see either of them on the clippers to make the west playoffs more interesting. Nuggets have so many good young assets they could turn into a star, mudiay and Murray top 5 picks, hernangomez has beautiful stroke and can move around well, Gary Harris looks like he will have good career, Barton is nice spark off bench for anyone, chandler, galinari, and faried can all still play big minutes for anyone and then Jocik is the one then will build around. Hope some of these trades actually happen this year
I agree with your statement. I think the nuggets have huge potential in the years to come, similar to the Timberwolves. They can’t be average forever, they’ll be good soon. I would like to see it.