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Summary

After playing at a near All-Star level for the Clippers in '18-'19, most people thought Gallinari would definitely be traded by the rebuilding Thunder team. However, Gallinari and the Thunder were one of the most surprising teams of the season, easily cruising into the playoffs.

 

The Thunder were rumored to be shopping Gallinari at the deadline, with Miami being the most-likely destination. It will be interesting to see if Miami is interested in Gallinari as a free agent this summer. On one hand, Gallinari would be a clear fit in Miami and a nice offensive piece next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. On the other hand, Gallinari is coming off a great stretch, and is likely hoping to cash in with a long-term contract, while the Heat are trying to save their cap space for 2021. With Goran Dragic playing so well in the playoffs and likely to return, this also makes it less likely the Heat would even have the cap space to sign Gallinari.

 

Despite beginning his career as a wing, Gallinari is almost exclusively a power forward in today's NBA. While this somewhat limits his value defensively, there are many teams that could use more shooting at the power forward position. Gallinari would be best next to a center that can hide his flaws defensively and on the glass.

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Cap Considerations

Gallinari will be an unrestricted free agent with full Bird rights. As his cap hold ($33.9 million) exceeds the salary he will get in free agency, his cap hold is not really relevant. If the Thunder re-sign Gallinari, his cap hold will be replaced by his starting salary, and the Thunder may still have some cap space available depending on his salary and what happens with their other free agents.

 

If Gallinari is brought back by the Thunder on a multi-year contract, they could benefit from frontloading his contract, as it could give them additional flexibility in the future.

 

Gallinari will warrant a starting salary of more than the full $9.3 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, which means only teams with cap space will be able to sign him. If Gallinari and an over-the-cap team have mutual interest, sign-and-trade options can be explored.

Potential Teams: Hornets, Thunder, Suns, Heat, Trailblazers

Predicted Contract: 1-year, $20 million with the Hornets

Actual Contract: 3-year, $61.5 million ($5 million guaranteed third year) with the Hawks.

If Gallinari got this kind of money, I thought he would only get a short-term deal, so good for him to get the contract that he did.

Last updated: 12/31/2020

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