Danilo Gallinari has officially called it a career, closing the book on a 14-year NBA journey that saw him suit up for eight different teams - and nearly a ninth.
Gallinari’s time with the Boston Celtics was brief, and in a way, symbolic of how unpredictable the NBA can be. Signed ahead of the 2022-23 season, the veteran forward never logged a single minute in green due to a torn ACL suffered while playing internationally. That injury sidelined him for the entire year, and before he had a chance to make his Celtics debut, he was on the move again - part of the deal that brought Kristaps Porziņģis to Boston.
Fast forward to now, and Gallinari is stepping away from the game after last suiting up during the 2023-24 season, where he had short stints with the Wizards, Pistons, and Bucks. It wasn’t the storybook ending some might’ve envisioned for the Italian sharpshooter, but it was a career that left its mark - especially for fans who followed his early days with the Knicks and his prime years in Denver and Los Angeles.
The Celtics acknowledged Gallinari’s retirement with a simple social media post:
“Congrats Gallo on a great career and best of luck in your retirement.”
Of course, Celtics fans - never ones to pass up a good-natured jab - had their own way of honoring his time in Boston.
“Played the same amount of minutes in Celtics games as I have,” one fan joked.
Another chimed in, “Celtic legend. Who could forget?”
It’s all in good fun, and Gallinari himself would probably crack a smile at the playful sarcasm. After all, he was expected to be a key contributor for Boston off the bench - a steady veteran presence with a sweet shooting stroke who could’ve helped stretch the floor and provide scoring punch. But fate had other plans.
That said, there’s little regret in Boston when it comes to the trade that sent him out. The acquisition of Porziņģis turned into a pivotal move that helped the Celtics finally capture their long-awaited Banner 18. In hindsight, the deal worked out just fine for the franchise.
As for Gallinari, he walks away from the game with a résumé that includes over a decade of high-level play, a reputation as one of the league’s better stretch forwards during his prime, and a career that spanned continents and eras. Injuries may have altered his path, but his skill, professionalism, and longevity speak for themselves.
Grazie, Gallo - a true international vet who brought style, skill, and a silky jumper to every stop along the way.