Gallinari, 37, spent 16 years in the NBA, playing in 14 seasons and missing two others with torn ACLs for several teams, beginning with the New York Knicks, who selected him sixth overall in the 2008 draft.
One of 299 players, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, to have played at least 14 NBA seasons, Gallinari also played for the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics (no games logged), Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Italian basketball royalty
The son of Vittorio Gallinari a teammate and roommate of longtime NBA head coach Mike D’Antoni while the two were members of Olimpia Milano in the 1970s and ’80s Gallinari is the second-highest-drafted Italian player ever, behind former number one selection Andrea Bargnani. His 11,607 points is the most of any Italian player in NBA history.
He was best known for his time with the Knicks, where he was the fresh-faced on-court part of their rebuilding project ahead of the star-studded 2010 free agency class while D’Antoni was the head coach, and with the Nuggets, where he arrived as part of the massive trade that brought Carmelo Anthony to New York in 2011.
Denver promise cut short by injury
It was in Denver that Gallinari was part of a 57-win Nuggets team in 2012-13 that was made up of several of the players who came with him as part of that Anthony trade and that appeared ready to make a run in the Western Conference playoffs when Gallinari tore his ACL late in that regular season.
Injuries were, unfortunately, a major storyline of Gallinari’s career, as he missed at least 10 games in all but one of his NBA seasons. He not only missed two entire seasons 2013-14 and 2022-23 to ACL tears but also missed the vast majority of his rookie year with a back injury.
Elite shooting from size
But when he was on the court, Gallinari was a tremendously skilled offensive player particularly given that he was 6-foot-10. His 1,456 three-pointers is the sixth most by any player in NBA history who is at least that tall. In February 2021, while playing with the Hawks, he became one of eight players in league history to hit at least 10 three-pointers while coming off the bench.
That season with Atlanta marked the only time Gallinari would make it as far as the NBA’s conference finals in his 14-year career, although he capped off his professional career by winning the Puerto Rican league title, and winning the championship series MVP award, with Vaqueros de Bayamon this past summer.
Gallinari’s last game in the NBA was Game 6 of the Bucks’ first-round loss to the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA playoffs.
Career defined by skill and resilience
Gallinari’s 16-year NBA career represents remarkable longevity despite constant injury challenges. Missing at least 10 games in all but one season demonstrates the persistent health issues that plagued his time in the league, yet he continued competing at a high level whenever available.
The two complete seasons lost to ACL tears 2013-14 and 2022-23 represent devastating setbacks that would have ended many players’ careers. The timing of the first ACL tear was particularly cruel, coming at the end of Denver’s 57-win season when the Nuggets appeared poised for a deep playoff run.
That 2012-13 Nuggets team showcased what Gallinari could accomplish when healthy. The collection of players acquired in the Carmelo Anthony trade developed chemistry and competed at a high level, suggesting what might have been possible if injuries hadn’t intervened.
Offensive versatility from size
Gallinari’s 6-foot-10 frame combined with elite three-point shooting created matchup nightmares for opponents. His 1,456 career three-pointers ranking sixth all-time among players his height or taller demonstrates how unusual his skill set was for someone with that size.
The ability to stretch defenses while also posting up smaller defenders made Gallinari valuable in multiple offensive systems. His basketball IQ and passing ability added another dimension beyond just shooting, making him more than a one-dimensional offensive player.
The 10 three-pointers off the bench against the Hawks in February 2021 exemplified his shotmaking ability. Becoming one of only eight players ever to accomplish that feat while coming off the bench showed he could dominate games regardless of role or minutes.
Knicks rebuilding centerpiece
Gallinari’s time with the Knicks represented his introduction to the NBA and his highest-profile years. As the on-court focal point of New York’s rebuilding project ahead of the 2010 free agency class, he carried significant responsibility for a young player.
Playing under Mike D’Antoni who had known Gallinari’s father decades earlier in Italy created an interesting connection that helped the young Italian adjust to NBA life. D’Antoni’s fast-paced offensive system suited Gallinari’s skills and helped him develop confidence.
The Knicks ultimately traded Gallinari as part of the Carmelo Anthony deal, ending his New York tenure prematurely but sending him to Denver where he would have his most successful seasons when healthy.
Conference finals appearance with Atlanta
The 2020-21 season with Atlanta represented Gallinari’s deepest playoff run, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the only time in his career. The Hawks’ surprising playoff success that season vindicated their decision to sign the veteran forward.
Though Atlanta ultimately fell short of the NBA Finals, Gallinari’s contribution to their playoff run demonstrated his value as a veteran presence who could provide scoring punch and spacing for a young, ascending team.
Puerto Rico championship finale
Capping his professional career with a Puerto Rican league title and championship series MVP award with Vaqueros de Bayamon provided a storybook ending. After his NBA career concluded with a limited role in Milwaukee’s playoff loss, winning a championship and earning MVP honors allowed Gallinari to finish on top.
The Puerto Rico stint showed Gallinari’s continued passion for basketball even after his NBA career wound down. Rather than simply retiring after the Milwaukee playoff exit, he sought one more competitive opportunity and made the most of it.
Italian basketball legacy
Gallinari’s 11,607 career points establish him as the highest-scoring Italian player in NBA history, surpassing Andrea Bargnani and other Italian players who’ve competed in the league. That record will stand as his primary statistical legacy.
Being the second-highest-drafted Italian player behind only Bargnani (number one overall in 2006) demonstrates the respect NBA teams had for Gallinari’s talent coming out of Italy. He validated that draft position despite the injuries that limited his career.
299 players, 14 seasons
Joining the exclusive group of 299 players who’ve competed in at least 14 NBA seasons reflects Gallinari’s durability and value despite persistent injuries. That longevity in a league where careers are typically short demonstrates organizational belief in his contributions.
The fact that he played for eight different teams shows both his value as a veteran who could help multiple franchises and the reality of modern NBA roster construction where players frequently change teams.
Gallinari retires as one of the most skilled offensive players of his generation, a pioneer among tall players who could shoot threes consistently, and the greatest Italian scorer in NBA history. Injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential, but his 16-year career represents a successful journey through professional basketball at its highest level.