Analyst on return of marquee offseason Boston Celtics free agent addition for postseason: ‘I don’t see it happening at this point’
With the postseason approaching and the Boston Celtics in flux about how to fill the last roster spot, the team will continue to be without their marquee offseason free-agent addition, Danilo Gallinari, per MassLive’s Brian Robb.
During his latest Celtics Mailbag, Robb answered a reader’s question about the possibility of the 34-year-old’s return in the postseason with some cold pessimism — this after Gallinari tore his ACL on a left leg that had previous injuries last summer.
In short, we won’t be seeing the Rooster in Boston Celtics green at all during the 2022-23 season:
"“I don’t see (a Gallinari return) happening at this point. It’s great he’s back on the court getting shots up but he’s still a long way away from going at full speed. Expecting him to contribute in a playoff series just eight months out from surgery is just not a realistic expectation at this point based on people I’ve talked to. Hopefully, he’ good to go for training camp in the fall.”"
Danilo Gallinari could be a cheaper alternative to Grant Williams for Boston Celtics
It’s very possible Grant Williams’ salary balloons past what the Celtics may be comfortable paying given recent details emerging regarding what contract offers he turned down, so Gallinari could be a cheap alternative to Williams next season. Set to make $6.8 million in 2023-24, Gallinari could wind up being half, if not a third of, the cost Williams winds up being if a team like the Magic or Pistons sees the latter as an ideal complement to their young cores.
Williams has continued to grow for the Celtics, but timing could wind up making things interesting if his shot goes cold at the wrong time. For a team in contention like Boston, elimination from the postseason could be the result of a play or two. Williams being in the wrong place at the wrong time — like he was against the Cavaliers on March 6 — could end up being the death knell for Cs fans wanting him back.
If/when Williams provides the Celtics with a critical contract conundrum this offseason, Gallinari could provide a much cheaper alternative in 2023-24.