Danilo Gallinari Talks About the Phone Call That Never Came

Long-time NBA sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari said that he wanted to finish his career with Olimpia Milano, his original team, but the franchise never called him. 

Born and raised in Lodigiano, Italy, Danilo Gallinari began his professional basketball career in 2004. In 2005, he was acquired by Olimpia Milano, where he would play for two seasons. 

In 2008, the New York Knicks drafted Gallinari 6th overall and he began what would be a 14-year career in the NBA. Following his final season in 2024, the Italian forward played with Vaqueros de Bayamón in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. 

According to Gallinari, he was hoping for a different call. He told Pianeta Basket: 

"Let’s make this clear once and for all. First of all, in order to return to Milan, you have to be wanted. That it was my dream? Of course it was – it always has been. I’ve always said it. Even during me last years in the NBA, I thought about coming back to Milan. But again, to return, you have to be wanted.  It’s not like I wake up one morning, make a call and say, ‘Hey guys, I’m ready to come back, do you want me?’ That’s not how it works."

Gallinari would play for eight teams over the course of his NBA career. He averaged 14.9 points with 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists. His best season came in 2019 with the Clippers when he set career highs for points with 19.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He spent his last season with the Bucks, Wizards, and Pistons.