14 Seasons with 8 Teams, Gallinari Calls Himself the NBA’s Biggest ‘What If’ Player

A career shaped by injuries and trades

Gallinari played 14 seasons in the NBA. Since being selected by the Knicks with the sixth overall pick in the first round in 2008, he has played for eight teams and averaged 14.9 points per game. In an exclusive interview with HoopsHype recently, he discussed his career.

When asked, “If you had stayed in New York and the trade for Carmelo Anthony had not happened, how would your career have been different?” Gallinari did not avoid the question. He said that although he sometimes discusses the topic with his family, the reality is that injuries left his career filled with too many “what ifs.”

“I might be the biggest ‘what if’ player in basketball history”

Gallinari said frankly: “I might be the biggest ‘what if’ player in basketball history. But that is part of an NBA career. Unfortunately, I have probably dealt with more injuries than any other athlete, but I am not going to dwell on these things too much.”

In February 2011, the Knicks, Nuggets and Timberwolves completed a three-team blockbuster trade. The Knicks acquired Anthony, Chauncey Billups and others, while the Nuggets received Gallinari, Tim Hardaway Jr., Felton, Mozgov and draft assets. During his NBA career, Gallinari suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his knee and two meniscus tears.

Not dwelling on the “what ifs,” only stating the facts

He did not frame the “what if” scenarios as regrets, nor did he provide hypothetical conclusions. Regarding the trade that changed the direction of his career, he only acknowledged that it is a topic discussed within his family and a hypothetical often mentioned by Knicks fans and staff. As for injuries, he admitted he has suffered more than most athletes, but his attitude is not to dwell on them too much.