4:44pm: The Hawks remain in the lead for Gallinari and are apparently prepared to tender him a three-year contract, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets.
4:00pm: There’s a growing belief among rival teams that the Hawks will be in “pole position” to land both Gallinari and Rajon Rondo when free agency opens later this week, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link). Atlanta is reportedly preparing an offer in the range of $15MM over two years for Rondo.
3:20pm: As one of the few teams entering the offseason with significant cap room, the Hawks have been linked to most of the top free agents on the market, and we can add another name to that list. During a live stream on Instagram today, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer suggested that Danilo Gallinari is a serious target for Atlanta in free agency (hat tip to Sportando).
“I’ve heard they’re going after Danilo Gallinari,” O’Connor said of the Hawks (at around the 16:08 mark). “I’ve heard they very well may be signing Gallinari as soon as free agency opens on Friday.”
Gallinari, 32, had a strong season in Oklahoma City in 2019/20, averaging 18.7 PPG and 5.2 RPG on .438/.405/.893 shooting in 62 games (29.6 MPG). If he were to join the Hawks, he’d become one of the team’s go-to scoring threats alongside Trae Young and John Collins, stretching the floor in the frontcourt.
The Hawks are believed to be targeting shooting in free agency, having also been linked to marksmen like Davis Bertans and Joe Harris.
Gallinari spoke last month about potentially prioritizing the chance to win a title over finding the most lucrative contract possible. While Atlanta is a team on the rise and hopes to make the postseason in 2021, joining the Hawks certainly wouldn’t represent the veteran forward’s best chance at a championship. Still, it’d be hard to fault him if he opts for a lucrative long-term deal, since this may be his last, best opportunity to secure a big multiyear payday.
If the money is right, he’s a nice addition and a great vet presence.
No offense but it’s like every fa the hawks want rondo, Harris, and now him
Their biggest needs were veteran leadership, 3pt shooting, defense, and someone to run the offense when Trae sits. They have a lot of cap space so there may be some truth to certain guys.
Let’s go! Would love Gallo!
I don’t see where he plays with capela and Collins locked in as starters. I guess 6th man?
He can and has played 3 (small forward).
As long as rondo goes to hawks and not clippers I’m okay with him leaving.
Galo will only play for a contender. He don’t want to see the rest of his prime out in Atlanta.
Young, Collins, Capela, Huerter, Reddish, Hunter, Gallinari and Rondo has potential though
Hawks need a strong defensive presence at the two. Like Dunn from Bulls, could back up Trae as well.
Hawks just in on everybody ig
A contender has to want him. I thought Heat would go after him. Atlanta is a good place for him. Rondo is also good for Hawks. But Clippers are probably where he wants to go. He said earlier he would take less from a contender. Heat should offer 50 mill 3 yrs.
He said he would take less for a contender. Why would the hawks be an option for him???