Former Atlanta Hawks F considered ‘under-the-radar’ bargain for BOS

The Atlanta Hawks would likely make the Dejounte Murray trade again if given the opportunity. It isn’t every day that the opportunity to secure an All-Star without giving up a core member comes about. Murray should add teeth to a lackluster defense that hamstrung one of the best offenses in the NBA last season.

That deal came at a significant cost, though, as the Hawks sent three draft picks – including two unprotected – a pick swap, and Danilo Gallinari for Murray.

A 14-year veteran, Gallinari was not in the team’s long-term plans. But he was a vital member of the rotation in his two years with the Hawks. He even stepped in for an injured John Collins in the starting lineup down the stretch

Now, he joins the Boston Celtics as an “under-the-radar” bargain.

Former Atlanta Hawks F Danilo Gallinari considered potential “massive bargain”

NBA.com’s Shaun Powell took a quick trip around the NBA to identify players that cost “little in terms of money or assets” to their teams but could still turn out to be very impactful. Gallinari signed with the Celtics on a two-year, $13 million deal after being waived by the San Antonio Spurs following the Murray trade.

There is value in that aspect alone for the Celtics and general manager Brad Stevens whom Powell suggests hasn’t made a bad decision in his current role.

He adds that Gallinari may be in contention for the best move yet.

“Gallinari hit 38.1% from distance last season in Atlanta and for much of his career, he’s been a reliable stretch four. He should work well with Brogdon in the pick and pop, but Gallinari at 6-foot-10 is also a decent post-up player, especially against smaller defenders.”

Gallinari tied for 30th in post-up points per play last season with 1.06 and ranked 21st in frequency at 17.0%.

Those numbers ranked first and second, respectively on the Hawks last season.

https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/status/1524089781629689857

“He should fit in a tweaked rotation that’s designed to reduce the load from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who struggled with turnovers in the NBA Finals. Gallinari isn’t in his prime but has some tread left, and all the Celtics need is a decent 15-20 minutes from him nightly. He’s capable of that.”

That is great for Boston.

But it does create some questions for the Hawks whose depth was a strength the past two seasons. Gallinari’s production and versatility cannot be replaced by Justin Holiday who is more of a wing or second-year forward Jalen Johnson who hasn’t proven much of anything yet.

The Hawks also traded away Kevin Huerter leaving them lighter on perimeter shooting.

Of course, Gallinari turns 34 years old on August 8 and was set to earn $21.5 million this coming season before being traded and subsequently waived.

That would have made him much less of a bargain.

Still, it will sting if Gallinari plays a major part in potential Celtics victories over the Hawks. The only way to guarantee that they avoid that will be for the Hawks to emerge victorious.