The Atlanta Hawks Just Provided Trae Young With an Efficient Scorer
There have been many moves made during NBA free agency this offseason. Players have either re-signed with their current team or have found a new team for the upcoming season. The Atlanta Hawks recently added a talented veteran to their team in Danilo Gallinari.
Gallinari is an efficient scorer and will be another option in the Hawks offense outside of All-Star point guard Trae Young.
Danilo Gallinari had an impressive 2019-20 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder
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Before Gallinari joined the Thunder, he spent two seasons playing for the LA Clippers. The Clippers made a big move in the summer of 2019 when they traded Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, five first-round draft picks, and the rights to swap two other first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George. It was one of the biggest moves during the offseason.
When Gallinari joined the Thunder, he teamed up with NBA star Chris Paul. Before the 2019-20 season, there were some predictions that the Thunder would not have the success they had in previous years since Russell Westbrook was gone. Gallinari played an important role for the Thunder as they finished the season with a 44-28 record. He averaged 18.7 points and 5.2 rebounds, and he was third on the team in scoring. The Thunder went into the 2020 NBA Playoffs as the fifth seed and took on the Houston Rockets in the first round.
Gallinari averaged 15 points during the series as the Thunder lost to the Rockets in seven games. Ever since he entered the league, Gallinari could score on the offensive end. He has never been a star player on the teams he’s played for, but he’s played a significant role, and now he’ll get to do that playing for the Atlanta Hawks.
The Atlanta Hawks signed Gallinari to a three-year deal
Gallinari will be playing for his fifth NBA team as he and the Hawks reached a deal during free agency. In an ESPN article, Gallinari’s agent, Michael Tellem of CAA Sports, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the forward is finalizing a three-year deal worth $61.5 million.
At 32, Gallinari was one of the top free agents as soon as free agency opened up. Throughout his career, Gallinari has dealt with injuries, but this past season with the Thunder was one of the healthiest seasons of his career. The Hawks made a good move signing Gallinari.
Gallinari will help Trae Young and the Hawks in a big way
With the addition of Gallinari, the Hawks have added the veteran presence that they need. The Hawks are a young team, and Gallinari will help the Hawks, especially on the offensive end. Gallinari is the type of player who can score in double figures each game, and when he’s healthy, he can impact a team in a significant way.
Young won’t have to carry the offense with Gallinari in the lineup. Even though Young will continue to put up big numbers for the Hawks, he won’t have to exert a lot of energy now that he has Gallinari on the team. The Hawks will be a team that will contend for a playoff spot this upcoming season, and they’ll be exciting to watch.
