With the Denver Nuggets not making it to the playoffs this year, it gave their players more time to think about their future with the team. One of them is Danilo Gallinari who has already apparently decided what to do with his current contract.
Entering the final year of his deal, the 28-year-old Italian international will reportedly opt out of his player option to test free agency, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. It also means that he is passing up on the guaranteed $16.1 million salary he is slated to receive next season.
However, the Nuggets have been vocal in wanting to make him their priority signing come summertime. Gallinari is still open to staying in Denver, but on a long-term and more lucrative deal.
“Gallinari will become one of the top available forwards in the July marketplace, but league sources say that he remains open to the possibility of returning to the Nuggets on a long-term deal.”
“Denver GM Tim Connelly has expressed a strong desire to keep Gallinari as part of the franchise’s core.”
The 6-foot-10 hybrid forward has spent the last six seasons in The Mile High City, where he has made a name for himself as an effective scorer, especially from the perimeter. This year he had another solid campaign with averages of 18.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
With Nikola Jokic emerging as a future star in the league, and the strong guard rotation they have, the signing of Gallinari would be crucial for the Nuggets, as they plan to be perennial playoff contenders in the coming years. Should they be successful in re-signing him and also adding a few key pieces to their roster, they might just be able to become a dark horse playoff team in the Western Conference.
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