The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets have reportedly talked a trade with Danilo Gallinari and this comes after the Celtics showed interest in Ty Lawson earlier in the offseason and that could be an option for the team to try and add some outside shooting and names like Jared Sullinger, Evan Turner and Isaiah Thomas could be potential targets to move.
The Celtics already agreed to a trade with David Lee with the Warriors and that could allow them to move someone like Sullinger without losing too much depth. According to RealGM, the Celtics and Nuggets "discussed" a Gallinari deal and that the Celtics want to add a perimeter shooter. The website reported earlier in the offseason that Gallinari was being put on the trade block and that the Memphis Grizzlies were interested.
Steve Bulpet of the Boston Herald reports that regarding the Gallinari deal, "nothing" is close heading into the middle of July. The report says that there is "some conflicting talk" with sources, but that this could be a deal that has some legs heading into the summer. Gallinari comes in after averaging 12 points per game last season, which came after he dealt with an ACL injury and missed the next season. Last year Gallinari played in 59 games and he is coming into the final year of his deal, meaning he could be an attractive trade chip for the Nuggets.
The Celtics have been an active team this offseason even without signing major free agents, as they have signed Amir Johnson and brought back Jonas Jerebko. The trade with Lee saw the team get rid of the Gerald Wallace contract and now Lee could be a starting option for the team, or at least a main backup. Lee did not play much with the Warriors and now he could get some time with the Celtics. Lee also could be a trade target at the deadline, as he is on an expiring contract.
Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Nuggets want to get rid of Lawson, but the Celtics may not be the best partner for that. The Nuggets drafted Emmanuel Mudiay and signed Jameer Nelson and that likely means that Lawson is on his way out. The Celtics have Marcus Smart and also drafted Terry Rozier, but NESN.com reported earlier in the offseason that the team was interested in Lawson. If the Celtics want Gallinari they may have to take Lawson, but right now that is not on the table.
PBT reports that the Grizzlies have had interest in Gallinari and that other teams could get involved if the deal doesn't happen soon, as he is on an expiring deal. Gallinari is a solid shooter and shot over 40 percent from the floor last season. The Celtics made the playoffs and were a surprise team in the east and adding a scorer like Gallinari could be big moving forward as Brad Stevens tries to rebuild. Sullinger reportedly was discussed in a trade with the Knicks this offseason, while Turner is in the final year of his deal.
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