NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Boston Celtics

3. Danilo Gallinari

Lost in all the free agency talk is Denver Nuggets’ forward Danilo Gallinari, who quietly averaged 18.2 points and shot nearly 39 percent on 3-pointers during the 2016-17 season. He finished the season ranked 12th in true shooting percentage. He doesn’t have the name recognition of the other players on this list, but don’t sleep on his slick scoring ability. Now, Gallinari will never win Defensive Player of the Year (neither will Isaiah Thomas), but he’s respectable. The Nuggets were a cumulative 3 points better when he was on the floor this season.

There is no shortage of quality defensive players in Boston, which only helps Gallinari. He will not be asked to defend the opposing best players. At 6-foot-10, he’s still mobile enough to play in any lineup combination, big or small. The Celtics’ frontcourt struggled to provide consistent offensive punch throughout the playoffs. They lack big guys who can put the ball on the floor to create their own offense. Gallinari is player who can attack off the bounce, post up, and knock down perimeter shots. He’d be an offensive upgrade over anyone in Boston’s frontcourt right now.

Gallinari is unlikely to be available once Danny Ainge is done chasing the big fish, as he will have multiple suitors. He’s also one of the better constellation prizes available should Ainge come up empty. Gallinari will not make the Celtics a super team, but look at what he’s done on far less talented teams. And did you see what they paid for Horford last summer?