The Denver Nuggets could be ready to deal small forward Danilo Gallinari, and among the teams that could be interested in adding the 28-year-old forward is the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors have slipped down the East rankings, with the team now No. 4 behind the Cavs, Celtics and the surging Wizards. Toronto is lacking a defensive big man who could hold down the paint, but the team also needs to add another scorer who could help DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry on the offensive end.
With ample trade assets in their possession, the Raptors are in pole position to strike a deal before the February 23 deadline. One potential target the Raptors could consider is Danilo Gallinari, who is likely to be the next trade candidate for the Nuggets.
Denver has made its first major move this season by trading Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for Mason Plumlee, a 2018 second-rounder and cash considerations. But according to ESPN's Marc Stein, Gallinari could be next to be dealt by the Nuggets, with the team expecting the Italian forward to opt out of his contract and explore free agency this summer.
"The Raptors and Clippers are among the teams said to be monitoring Gallinari's availability, amidst a growing belief that Denver is prepared to move him, given that the Nuggets anticipate that Gallinari will bypass the final season of his current contract (valued at $16.1 million) and join Millsap on the open market, and they don't plan to spend big to retain the Italian," Stein wrote.
Bringing in Gallinari would be a tremendous addition for the Raptors. Gallinari, who is averaging 17.2 points a game on 43.2 percent shooting from the field would give the Raptors a second or third scorer and a decent wing defender.
It is unclear what the Nuggets would want in return for any potential deal involving Gallinari. Likewise, it remains to be seen whether the Raptors have a genuine interest in acquiring him before the deadline. But if the Raptors are serious in bolstering their lineup, expect them to be major players to land Gallinari.
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