Boston Celtics: 2 offseason FA signings that could start for Cs in 2020-21

Danilo Gallinari

My coeditor Mark Nilon and I both agree: Danilo Gallinari is a perfect free agent signing for the Boston Celtics.

I said as much in a recent piece noting 3 free agent steals:

"Given Danilo Gallinari‘s recent comments about prioritizing winning over money with his next contract, it only makes sense for the Boston Celtics to be mentioned in the same breath as the six-foot-ten Italian power forward. Gallinari should have a market, with non-taxpaying teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and the Dallas Mavericks as likely suitors. If he wants to attempt to be the fourth 20-point per game scorer in Beantown, the mid-level exception is all his."

Mark weighed in on a Gallo signing, seeing the fit as clean as day:

"During his first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 32-year-old put up a very productive stat line of 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 40.5 percent shooting from deep. Though not a defensive booster, Gallinari would add offensive versatility and suitable size (6-10, 225-pounds) to any rotation willing to bring him on… including the Boston Celtics. Whether they have him coming off the bench to help bolster their 29th points per game (28.5), 28th 3-point efficiency, and 20th offensive rating (53.6) rankings or inserted into the starting lineup in favor of Gordon Hayward — whether he himself is relegated to a sixth-man role or simply traded away from the team –, the idea of pursuing the likes of Danilo Gallinari this offseason should be something that is strongly considered by the C’s front office, especially being that he’s admitted that he sees winning a ring as the most important goal when deciding his next destination."

Two great minds think alike, and while Mark sees the “rooster” as someone that can start or come off the bench, starting over Gordon Hayward would be the perfect role for the spot-up shooting specialist. I believe Hayward would be better used as a sixth man, if not used in a separate deal to address other issues on Boston’s roster.

Luckily for the Cs, it appears Gallinari appears set to find a new home in free agency this offseason. Boston would be an inviting situation for both parties.