As it turns out, Chris Paul isn’t the only player on the Oklahoma City Thunder who has an affinity for the new President of Basketball Operations of the New York Knicks. Danilo Gallinari, it appears, also has a soft spot for former CAA agent Leon Rose.
Rose, who rose to prominence as one of the industry’s more successful agents while at Creative Artists Agency, represented Chris Paul until just recently, but Gallinari’s apparent fondness of him likely results from the fact that, according to HoopsHype, Gallo himself is a CAA client. Although CAA agent Michael Tellem is representing Gallinari, it stands to reason that he’s had plenty of interactions with Rose over the years. They’ve obviously been pleasant.
Earlier this week, Gallinari spoke with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto on the HoopsHype podcast and spoke glowingly of Rose, as well as his time in New York. It’s probably safe to say that a return to New York shouldn’t be completely ruled out for the sharpshooter, though he would likely prefer to join a contender.
Gallo on Rose:
The first thing that I think about Leon is the relationship that we have. When I think about the Knicks, I can say they got the right guy. I’m very happy for him and the Knicks. It doesn’t matter if he’s an agent if he’s a GM, president, or whatever he’s going to be. We have a great relationship, and he did such a great job for me working with him. I wish him the best in everything he’s going to do.
The Knicks, of course, selected Gallinari with the sixth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He would eventually be traded to Denver in the deal that saw Carmelo sent to New York. Despite being fairly transient — he’s also played for the Clippers and Thunder since — he still remembers the good times in New York City.
My third season was very exciting. We had very good talent, a good team, and great guys… I’ve experienced the city is a little different when you win than when you lose. To experience New York and the Garden when you win, it’s different, and it’s pretty cool.
When the free agency begins, Gallinari will be one of the more popular players on the market. He says he’s open to returning to the Thunder, but he obviously has many other considerations.
A return to New York, it would seem, should at least be considered to be within the realm of possibility.