The Chicago Bulls have expressed interest in signing Danilo Gallinari for the rest of the season. But for the second time dating back from 2022, they came up short in securing the service of the Italian forward.
According to NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson, Chicago had a conversation with the camp of Gallinari for a potential contract this season until reports have confirmed that the free agent will commit to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bulls talked to Danilo Gallinari’s reps in the buyout market, per source. Gallinari plans to sign with Bucks. It’s second time Bulls angled for the shooter before he picked another team. They lost out to Celtics previously.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 15, 2024
Gallinari, 35, was waived by the Detroit Pistons after the trade deadline to maintain their 15-man roster. He started this 2023-24 season as a member of the Washington Wizards.
For 32 combined games in Washington and Detroit, Gallo averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 boards, and 1.3 assists. He also shot 45.1 percent from the field and poured 35.5 percent beyond the arc.
A well-rounded offensive cager at his position, the Bulls would have benefitted from Danilo’s play. His scoring arsenal and three-level shooting could've been a tremendous help for the team's firepower and late-season push in the wake of Zach Lavine’s unavailability for the remainder of the year.
Gallo is cookin'
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) November 9, 2023
18 PTS, 4 3PT, 4 REB pic.twitter.com/ivqJDJ6i7p
But despite the significant opportunity to contribute and the chance to reunite with coach Billy Donovan as both of them were in the Oklahoma City Thunder last 2019-20, Gallo ultimately picked the Bulls’ division rival Bucks.
Chicago recently failed as well in pursuing free agent guard Kyle Lowry, who selected the Philadelphia 76ers after his buyout agreement with the Charlotte Hornets.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!