By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Danilo Gallinari has set the benefit of his family as a priority for the upcoming NBA free agency. The Italian forward is expecting his first child and this is a major factor that will weigh in when he chooses his next career destination.
“Well, I think that the best decision is the best decision for me and my family,” Gallinari said in the “Truth and Basketball with George Karl” podcast. “As I told you guys, I have a kid on the way, my first one. So the decisions are going to be made by altogether. I think the best is looking at everything. I’m not saying I’m just going to go to teams that are going to fight for the championship because I don’t know if they are going to call me.”
Gallinari, 32, had previously mentioned that he’d seriously consider re-signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
One of the podcast’s main topics of discussion was Gallinari’s stint on the Denver Nuggets. During his last three years in Denver, Gallo played alongside Nikola Jokic, then a superstar in the making.
“It [his chemistry with Jokic] was getting better year by year and game by game,” Gallinari said. “He’s a guy who knows how to play basketball and he has a very high IQ. It was easy to play with him. He was growing and growing and getting better and better. He was making my life easier too.”
Gallinari was also asked about Luka Doncic, a fellow European who emerged as a true star lat season in the NBA.
“I really like his game,” Gallinari said. “I didn’t expect him to be so good [coming] right from Europe, but he’s pretty amazing. By the way, since we are talking about me being an underrated defender like coach [Karl] says. This year in OKC we won at home against Dallas with me stealing the ball from Doncic. Just so you guys know.”
In case you were wondering about the play that Gallo talks about, here it is.