By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Danilo Gallinari joined the latest episode of the HoopsHype podcast and Michael Scotto to discuss free agency among other topics. Exact dates are not yet set, but the Italian forward explained he would like to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder but is ready to explore other options as well.
“I think as a player when you have such a great time with the team, and you go through what we’ve been through this season living this amazing miracle season, of course, I’d love to run it back and spend some more time in OKC,” he said, “When you have this winning season, you always want to be on a winning team, and so, of course, I’d consider it.”
Gallinari, 32, competed in the NBA bubble set up in Orlando. The Thunder did not make it past the first round of the postseason. They were eliminated in seven games by the Houston Rockets.
“I think the best thing about free agency is that, especially in my situation, you have to look at everything,” he furthered regarding his next contract, “The part I love is that I have the chance to look at everything. Honestly, I don’t have one direction or one thing that I’m looking at. In your career, you can’t be a free agent every year. When it happens, for me, it’s this summer, I want to take my time and look at everything.”
Apart from the NBA, the well-recognized and experienced member of the Italian national team from the junior to the senior level is looking to debut in the Olympic Games. Italy is scheduled to participate in the Belgrade qualifying tournament with Puerto Rico, Senegal, New Zealand, the Dominican Republic, and host Serbia.
“I never played in the Olympics, so that’s a goal of mine with the national team. It’s something I’d like to achieve,” he mentioned, “I honestly think I have a lot of years left with them because I wanted to give my country and my fans what they deserve. I haven’t been able to do that yet, so that’s something that when I think about the summer, it’s something that’s in my mind every time, and I’m very focused on that because we need to achieve something with this group of guys that have been together for more than 10 years.”
The veteran of 636 NBA games averaged 15 points and 5.4 rebounds in the best-of-seven series opposite to the Rockets. His NBA stops other than the Thunder include the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Clippers.
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