NBA Rumors: Gallinari Next Stop Could Be Mavs, Dallas Getting Money’s Worth

The Oklahoma City Thunder are dealing away big-name stars and next up appears to be Danilo Gallinari. The Italian player is coming off an impressive season and the Dallas Mavericks appear to be his next stop. If the Mavs and the Thunder close a deal, Gallinari could be that much-awaited third superstar that Mark Cuban and Rick Carlisle are looking for.

According to Babcock Hoops, the Mavs and the Thunder are currently in talks about a potential sign-and-trade deal for the 32-year-old cager. Also part of the deal would be the 18th pick of the Mavs in the 2020 NBA Draft. Dallas selected Josh Green in the recently concluded draft.

Green appeared hyped to play for the Mavericks, a 3-and-D player that Carlisle could put to good use. However, he may have to show that with the Kings instead if a Gallinari deal gets done.

Acquiring Gallinari would give the Mavs some breathing room for the 2020-21 season. They are expected to miss Kristaps Porzingis for the early part of the coming NBA wars. The Latvian center underwent second knee surgery and may need more time to recuperate.

Hence, all eyes would be on Luka Doncic and Gallinari if the deal does go down. Looking at his numbers last season, Gallinari would bring a lot to the team.

In 62 regular-season games last season, Gallinari averaged 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. But if there is one part of his game that Mavericks will put to good use is his shooting. He shot 47.6% from the field and 40.5% from beyond the arc.

Also, it would be best to note that Gallinari has been religiously keeping himself in shape. He has been doing a lot of yoga and has been doing some mixed martial arts stuff. Former Denver Nuggets strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess has been working out with the Italian.

Hess recently appeared in the “Bouncepass” zoom cast and addressed a question thrown to him by this writer who acted as one of the guest hosts. Here is what he had to say.

“So here is the thing. I’m not really concerned about where he ends up. But I will say this, you will get a bigger and badder Gallo. He is going to be a different beast. So whatever team gets him, the will be really, really lucky,” Hess said.

“This is a 32-year-old learning new s--t. So be ready. When you see him, he is going to be like wow,” he added.