Danilo Gallinari Apparently Declined Denver’s Invitation To Be Traded At The Deadline

Danilo Gallinari is a talented player who has unfortunately seen injuries hinder an otherwise excellent NBA career. As part of the Carmelo Anthony trade, for some Gallinari’s success with the Nuggets will always, in some small part, serve as a referendum on that deal.

But the Nuggets — with coach Mike Malone — are again a team on the rise, and Gallinari is a part of that. He made sure he was a part of it too, because evidently he refused a trade at last season’s February deadline.

Gallinari was partaking in a press conference in his native Italy when he was asked about coming back to play for an Italian team.

The translation of what he said is roughly, “In Denver I am very well, there was a chance last year to go to some other team before the deadline in February, but I refused. If I return to Italy, it would be back to Olympia, but with the intention of winning. I don’t like the idea of nostalgic revisiting.”

Spanish basketball writer Laura Cristaldi pointed out that there were reports the Celtics and Clippers both expressed interest in Gallinari in February, but Gallinari turned down Denver when they asked if he wanted out.

“It made no sense to go at that time,” Gallinari said.

Clearly, he’s happy in Denver, so hopefully the Nuggets are happy with him. If Danilo’s healthy, the Nuggets and their fans should be glad he stayed.

(Via Denver Stiffs)

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