Gallinari on the radar for C’s
DiVincenzo could also draw interest as a free agent
The Celtics have an ancillary interest in the major trade that found Atlanta sending Danilo Gallinari and three first round picks to San Antonio for the Spurs’ young all-star Dejounte Murray on Wednesday.
A league source confirmed a report from Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer earlier in that day that the Celtics have an interest in signing the 33-yearold Italian if, as expected, he is waived by the Spurs.
Though the team chose not to get involved in the bidding process for Murray, a young point guard who, combined with Trae Young, will give the Hawks one of the NBA’s great young backcourts, the Celtics are focusing on quality veteran help to add to their bench.
Donte DiVincenzo, now a free agent after Sacramento decided not to extend a qualifying offer to the talented wing player, is stacking up as another Celtics target.
Gallinari has struggled to overcome injury for much of his career, though his 66 games for the Hawks last season were his most since he played 68 in 2018-19 for the Clippers.
His fit for a Celtics team in need of bench scoring and playmaking is undeniable. At one point earlier in his career considered a major scorer, the 6-foot-10 Gallinari is a career 38% 3-point shooter and a gifted playmaker off the wing.
The only obstacle, especially on aging legs, may be Gallinari’s ability to defend in Ime Udoka’s relentless switching scheme, though the Celtics have clearly decided that their offense needs help.
The Celtics will have competition for Gallinari’s services, and it’s unclear whether they will be forced to use their $6.1 million taxpayers mid-level extension on him.
The source added that the team has struggled in its search for a suitor for its $17.1 million trade exception.
“Things will pick up once free agency starts, but right now things are pretty dead out there,” he said. “Right now there just isn’t much to pick from.”