Celtics vet Danilo Gallinari exercises player option for ’23-24 season

The Italian Stallion is back with the Celtics after opting in to the final year of his contract.

Boston Celtics veteran forward Danilo Gallinari has officially opted in to the final year of his contract, a player option worth $6.8 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Gallinari joined the Celtics in free agency last summer before tearing his left ACL a few weeks later playing for his native Italy in a FIBA qualifying game. Gallinari did not appear in any games for Boston last year.

Prior to his injury, however, there was hopes Gallinari could provide the Celtics with some shooting and veteran leadership off the bench. Now healthy, Wojnarowski reported Gallinari is expected to have a “sizable role” with Boston next season.

During the 2021-22 campaign, the last time he was healthy, Gallinari proved an effective offensive support for the Atlanta Hawks. He shot 38.1% from 3, something that could be helpful for finding a spot in head coach Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.