Even on a team with a boatload of questions headed into training camp, this one should seem obvious.
How long will Danilo Gallinari actually be a member of the Thunder?
Gallinari is coming off the best season of his NBA career. In 2018-19 with the Clippers, he averaged career highs in points (19.8) and rebounds (6.1). In 68 games, he shot 43.3 percent from three on 5.5 attempts per game.
He’s also had a strong showing this summer in the FIBA World Cup, where he was unquestionably Italy’s best player, leading the team in efficiency (20.2), points (17.2) and rebounds (5.6) per game.
Gallinari came to Oklahoma City as part of the trade for Paul George, and looks to be a pivotal part of the Thunder’s starting lineup. He shot 44.4 percent on catch-and-shoot three’s last season, a number that will likely benefit from playing alongside Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The 31-year-old is in the final year of his contract, which Brett Dawson of The Athletic believes will “limit any prospective trade return”.
But with the Thunder at the beginning of a lengthy rebuild, there were likely be a number of contenders looking for the services of a player like Gallinari, making his time in Oklahoma City limited at best.
