The Atlanta Hawks are looking at a very busy offseason but they have a decision to make in regards to Danilo Gallinari‘s deal. The final season of his contract is worth just over $21 million if the Hawks choose to guarantee the deal. If they do not guarantee his deal, either trading or waiving him, Gallinari will only be due $5.0 million.
Now, this is a large gap between the two values and may mean the difference between the Hawks being able to trade Gallinari or not. Currently, the Italian sharp-shooter is being discussed as the main trade piece in a potential deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The Hawks would get Dejounte Murray in return, which is a massive upgrade to the roster.
However, while the Hawks need to make the decision today on what they are to do with the power forward, the Spurs still have time to assess all of their options. If the Hawks are forced to guarantee Gallinari then this may alter his trade value, however, he is such a talent that teams will still want him.
Why it is not the end of the world if the Atlanta Hawks have to guarantee Danilo Gallinari.
Now, first things first. It is unlikely that the Hawks are going to waive Gallinari. They are not going to want to have any unusable money on their cap sheet, even if it is only 5.0 million. They have too many moves they need to make and too many players they need to sign.
While the Hawks management is not afraid of going into the luxury tax, they would not be happy to have dead money on their sheet. This means that the Hawks will either keep Gallinari or they could trade him for the right player.
As mentioned earlier, he is the centerpiece of the Murray trade. However, Travis Schlenk will have his phone running hot, trying to make the right move. Whether this is Gallinari or John Collins, or most of the other players on the roster, the Hawks will make a move. We will know more by the end of today.