Report: Raptors, Clippers interested in Danilo Gallinari
If the Denver Nuggets are open for business, they won't lack for suitors.
The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly keeping tabs on Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari, who may become available ahead of the trade deadline, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.
Gallinari is leaning towards turning down his player option for next season, which would therefore make him an expiring contract that could be dealt in the coming weeks.
Related: Why Gallo might be a better deadline fit than 'Melo
The 28-year-old Italian sharpshooter is averaging 17.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 38.1 percent from deep. He is a proven scorer who can play either forward position, wielding an inside-out game that affords him plenty of trips to the free-throw line.
With Gallinari, however, there are concessions to be made on defense regardless of whether he plays small or power forward. Injuries are also a question mark - Gallinari hasn't played more than 60 games since the 2012-13 season. He is currently battling a groin injury which has held him out for the last four games.
Gallinari makes $15 million this season and holds a player option worth $16.1 million for 2017-18. Both the Raptors and Clippers are over the salary cap, so they would need to send back roughly equivalent salaries to make a deal work.
Denver flipped Jusuf Nurkic to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Mason Plumlee on Sunday in a deal that could point toward subsequent transactions.