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Nuggets GM: Re-signing Gallinari is 'priority No. 1'

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Italian forward Danilo Gallinari has led the Denver Nuggets in scoring each of the past two seasons, but can leave the franchise this summer if he chooses to turn down his $16.1-million player option for 2017-18.

Despite Gallinari's storied injury history, general manager Tim Connelly hopes to bring the 28-year-old for another go.

"Going into this offseason, obviously if Gallo opts out - which we anticipate he'll likely do - that would be priority No. 1," Connelly said of re-signing Gallinari to Nate Kreckman and Ryan Harris during a recent appearance on Altitude Sports 950.

The 2016-17 campaign marked the third season in a row that Gallinari missed 19 or more games, and that doesn't even include the entire 2013-14 season he sat due to an ACL injury.

Related - Gallinari: 'I would love to remain with the Nuggets'

Denver went 9-10 in games Gallinari wasn't in uniform, while also scoring 4.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was healthy, but wasn't on the floor.

He averaged 18.2 points on 44.7 percent shooting and 38.8 percent from deep, along with 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists over 63 appearances for the 40-42 Nuggets, who finished just one game back of the Portland Trail Blazers for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

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