2020 NBA Free Agency: Gallinari agrees to contract with Hawks

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that free agent forward Danilo Gallinari has agreed to a three-year $61.5 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Why report it on a Wizards site? Because the Hawks are one of the few teams with the kind of cap space to give Wizards free agent Davis Bertans the kind of money he wants.

This deal between the Hawks and Gallinari could complicate Bertans’ efforts to get the $18 million per season he’s reportedly requested from the Wizards. Losing a major potential suitor could give Washington more leverage as they attempt to negotiate a more reasonable contract.

This contract is somewhat puzzling for both Atlanta. The Hawks want to return to the playoffs and become more competitive, and Gallinari is a very good player. He’s also 32-years old, is not a stalwart defender and is unlikely to remain productive throughout the duration of this contract. Given the youth of Trae Young and other parts of the Hawks core, Gallinari would seem to be entering a stage of his career that doesn’t match with the rest of the group.

For Gallinari, this likely represents his last significant NBA contract. It’s a lucrative way to wind up what’s been a very good career.