REPORT: Forward 'Seriously Considered' Cavs Before Signing With Bucks

Cleveland was a potential option for Danilo Gallinari before he reportedly signed with Milwaukee.

According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, recently waived forward Danilo Gallinari is signing with the Milwaukee Bucks for the remainder of this season.

However, this was nearly not the case.

According to The Athletic Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, Gallinari “seriously considered” multiple other teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Gallinari seriously considered several teams – including Clippers, Cavaliers and Bulls – before choosing the Bucks where he'll have opportunity for a strong role under his old coach Doc Rivers. https://t.co/6BfxVW0ztl

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 15, 2024

The 35-year-old is currently in his 16th NBA season, during which he has averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in a combined 32 games with the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons.

According to Stathead, in 19 career games against the Cavaliers, Gallinari has averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest, while shooting 41.5% from three-point range. He most recently scored a team-high 20 points off the bench for Detroit against the Wine and Gold back on January 31.

A potential reason why the 6-foot-10 forward could have decided against signing with Cleveland is because of the team’s reported message to free agents.

According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, the team has been telling interested free agents that there are no available roles on the team at the moment.

Not saying #Cavs won’t sign someone worthy in buyout market. But in all their conversations with these free agents, the front office is being transparent and letting them know there isn’t an available role. The top guys who have other options want to play. They want a clear role

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) February 16, 2024

This stance would certainly make sense for the Cavaliers, who also stood pat when the NBA Trade Deadline passed last week. Cleveland is currently one of the NBA’s strongest teams, as it holds the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 36-17 record.

The Wine and Gold also own the league’s best record since both December 16 (23-5) and January 1 (18-3).

The Cavaliers will look to keep this momentum going after the upcoming NBA All-Star Break, when they host the Orlando Magic on Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m.