Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/23/15

The Grizzlies reportedly looked into acquiring Danilo Gallinari at the trade deadline this past season, according to Grantland’s Zach Lowe, which corroborates a report from June indicating that Memphis was pursuing the combo forward as the draft neared. Denver instead held on to him, even though they “absolutely could have” scored first-round picks for Gallinari or Wilson Chandler, as Lowe wrote. Both signed renegotiations-and-extensions this summer with Denver, a place Gallinari loves, according to Lowe’s report, making him a relative rarity among top-level players and extra valuable to the Nuggets.

This brings me to the question/topic of the day: Should the Nuggets have dealt Danillo Gallinari last season when the opportunity was available?

While Gallinari’s strong second half of the 2014/15 campaign, as well as his excellent performance during this summer’s Eurobasket qualifying tournament, certainly bode well for the future, the 27-year-old’s injury history makes it difficult to count on the Italian forward for a full season. Would Denver, a team in the midst of a full rebuild, have been better served to deal Gallinari to Memphis for draft picks?

On one side of the argument, I can make the case that it would have been worth it for Denver to do so, as the extra draft pick(s), as well as the increased odds of securing next season’s No. 1 overall pick if Gallinari were indeed subtracted from the roster, would certainly aid in hastening the team’s overhaul. Dealing the forward would have also eliminated the yearly worry that Gallinari would miss significant time due to some malady. Of course, the argument could easily be made that the Nuggets have a great shot at securing the top overall pick in 2016 regardless of Gallinari’s presence, and having the forward on hand will at least make the team watchable on a nightly basis for its fans. In addition, Denver isn’t viewed around the league as a free agent destination, so retaining talent is paramount for the Nuggets as they move forward.

But what do you think? Should Denver have pulled the trigger on a trade? If so, what sort of return would they needed to have received to make such a deal worthwhile? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

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