Danilo Gallinari hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2024 playoffs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the door to that stage of his career is closed for good.
Gallinari, reflective and self-aware at 37 years old, spoke recently about his desire to stay in the NBA for another year (Twitter link).
“I always hope so. If I were to return, it would be as a veteran, kind of like insurance for a franchise,” he said. “I wouldn’t play much and would serve as a helpful presence.”
De Santis also writes that Gallinari expressed doubt that his long-held desire to return to Olimpia Milano, the team with which he got his start and played for three years before being selected sixth in the 2008 draft by the Knicks, would come to fruition.
“*I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I consider it very, very unlikely. The more time passes, the more complicated it seems,*” he said.
“In order to return to Milan, you have to be wanted,” he continued.”Even during my last years in the NBA, I thought about coming back to Milan. But again, to return, you have to be wanted. It’s not like I wake up one morning, make a call and say, ‘Hey guys, I’m ready to come back, do you want me?’ That’s not how it works.”
He adds that he received calls from European teams throughout his NBA career, as well as more recently, but never from Milan.
Gallinari split his final season between the Wizards, Pistons, and Bucks, averaging 5.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game. He appeared in three playoff games for the Bucks, where he averaged 3.7 points in 12.3 minutes.
Gallinari played this season in the Puerto Rico league, where he helped lead the Vaqueros to a championship and was named Finals MVP after he scored 24 points with six rebounds and four assists in the title-clinching game. He has recently joined the Italian national team for what he says will be his final international competition.