There are many fans who would like to see a meeting between Danilo Gallinari and the Knicks. The 2008 lottery pick was the Knicks’ highest pick after Kenny Walker in 1986, and remained so until the team chose Kristaps Porzingis in 2015.
I remember seeing Gallo during his beginner season. I had a mini subscription package that year, and it was like watching a puppy learn to walk. He was so raw on the pitch, but you couldn’t help but get excited about this adorable lottery pick that one day it would grow and bring the Knicks back to relevance.
Obviously, Gallinari ended up being one of the pieces exchanged in Carmelo Anthony’s agreement with Denver. While he has never been an All-Star, and often injured, after leaving New York, he has built a respectable career as a 6-foot-10 striker who plays as a versatile wing.
The Italian forward has not been officially tied to the Knicks’ current thinking, but SNY’s Ian Begley speculates that it will be considered an option. And Gallinari himself recently said that it would be open on his return to New York.
The forward stretch turns 32 this summer, but hasn’t lost the touch of his shot, hitting 40.9% of his three this season, after connecting to 43.3% last year, both above the his career average of 38.1%.
If the Knicks manage to sign a short-term deal in Gallo to give the team some shots in their frontcourt, it would be a welcome addition.