Former New York Knicks Player Linked with Big Apple Return Ahead of 2024-25 Season

With the 2024-25 NBA season only a week away, the New York Knicks may have found the players they need to make a serious push for the NBA Finals.

They did plenty of business over the season. They moved heaven and earth to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, They also greenlit a surprise trade to snag Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves and take over Julius Randle’s spot in the roster.

Considering the amount of personnel changes they made throughout the summer, you may think that the team would take it slow in introducing new faces to the squad. However, a rumor surfaced that one of its former rookies may find his way back to the Big Apple.

Danilo Gallinari is rumored to be returning to the New York Knicks with a training camp contract

Knicks fans would remember Danilo Gallinari as the centerpiece of the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the Knickerbockers. While Melo’s stint at the Madison Square Garden didn’t result in a Finals berth, he still showed out for the crowd.

Gallo spent six seasons in Denver before bouncing around various teams, with his latest stop being the Milwaukee Bucks. His most recent actions suggest that he’s eyeing one more run for the NBA title with the team that drafted him sixth overall in 2008.

Per Athlon Sports’ Collin Loring:

Jennifer Gould of the New York Post reported that Gallinari purchased a home in Brooklyn, and that there’s buzz he could sign a training camp deal with the team that drafted him sixth overall some years ago.

“The veteran forward has just signed a contract for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home at One Williamsburg Wharf in Brooklyn, Gimme Shelter has learned,” Gould wrote in an Oct. 17 exclusive. “The news comes amid buzz that the New York Knicks may sign Gallinari to a contract for training camp – 16 years after they selected him as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.”

Gallinari had a solid run with the Knicks. From 2008 until 2011, he averaged 13.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists for the Knicks. If Tom Thibodeau needs a stretch big who can run with the second unit, Gallo is a great player to add to the roster.