The trade that sent Danilo Gallinari to the Oklahoma City Thunder took most everybody by surprise.
But now, more than half a season later, the Thunder look like they’re going to make the playoffs. Gallinari is thriving. And there’s a chance the forward sticks around Oklahoma City even longer.
Despite trade talks centered around him at the deadline earlier this month, Gallinari told the Daily Thunder Podcast on Monday that he’ll consider re-signing with the Thunder this offseason.
“It’s not the time now to talk with the team, but in the summer it’s going to be interesting for me,” he said. “Definitely, it could be a great option for me to stay here.”
It wouldn’t make sense for the Thunder and Gallinari to start talking about extension or offseason plans at this juncture in the season. Their main focus is on the 2020 playoff run, not necessarily its immediate aftermath.
That doesn’t mean the organization isn’t thinking long-term.
Thunder trade talks that centered around Gallinari, most publicly with the Miami Heat, signaled that the team would be willing to gain future assets at the expense of the present if a sweet enough deal had been presented.
No move was made and Gallinari said he’s happy to still be part of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“It’s always tough to change during the season, to get traded during the season. So I really wanted to stay here,” he said. “Especially, I think it’s tough to leave such a great atmosphere, great teammates, a group that is winning.”
Gallinari is second on the team in scoring this season, averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting 44.1% from the field.
