Soaring Down South
Fansided

8 Worst free agent signings in Atlanta Hawks history

By Tyler Watts

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 01: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena on April 1, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 01: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena on April 1, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks, Danilo Gallinari (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

6. Danilo Gallinari

The Hawks officially acquired Gallinari via a sign-and-trade in 2020 for a second-round pick after he worked out a three-year $61.5 million deal in free agency. The 6’10 forward was fresh off averaging 18.7 points per game for a Thunder squad that surprisingly made the playoffs. He had been a starter for four straight years, but he was going to have to sacrifice coming to Atlanta to play with John Collins and Clint Capela.

The Hawks made a surprising run to the conference finals, but Gallinari’s production dipped. He averaged just 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 24.0 minutes per game. Galo played more minutes in year two, but he averaged just 11.7 points per game, which was his lowest number since his rookie year in 2009.

Atlanta traded Gallinari to San Antonio as part of the package for Dejounte Murray during the 2022 offseason, and the Spurs waived the veteran forward. He signed a two-year contract with the Celtics last summer before tearing his ACL in August.

Gallinari did not live up to the $20 million per season that he earned during his time in Atlanta. He helped the Hawks make the playoffs two straight years as a sixth man coming off the bench, but the production was not up to what he did in New York, Denver, Los Angeles, or Oklahoma City.