Lakers “Checked In” on the Veteran Floor-Spacing Trade Target of $13 million.
During this window of transactions, the Los Angeles Lakers would be better suited to make a small, supporting addition than the blockbuster deal that they have frequently been linked to.
They have expressed interest in Detroit Pistons forward Danilo Gallinari because they need someone who can shoot three points, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Scotto noted on February 5 that “Danilo Gallinari is another player rival executives are monitoring who’s continued to be a knockdown 3-point shooter while playing minutes at the four and small ball five at times in the final year of his contract.” The Lakers are one of the teams that has inquired about Gallinari’s transfer fee, according to league insiders who spoke with HoopsHype.
This season, the 35-year-old Gallinari is averaging 7.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Gallinari, a 38.2% career three-point shooter, is only hitting 35.5% of his three-pointers this year. However, since being dealt to the Pistons by the Washington Wizards on January 14, he is shooting 58.3% from beyond the arc.
Lakers’ proposed trade lands Danilo Gallinari of the Pistons
Neither Gallinari’s salary nor his caliber as a player, especially at this point in his career, make it acceptable to give up one of the Lakers’ more expensive players, like D’Angelo Russell or Rui Hachimura, who the Lakers have become ambivalent about dealing for.
Furthermore, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic on January 26, they aren’t going to trade Austin Reaves for anything less than a respectable third star.
The Lakers could acquire Galliari in this hypothetical deal since they only have one first-round pick available.
