The Los Angeles Clippers are attempting to secure a sign-and-trade agreement with free-agent forward Danilo Gallinari on a three-year, $65 million deal, ESPN reported on Tuesday.
With salary-cap space an issue, the Clippers are aiming to acquire Gallinari through a three-way trade involving the Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks, according to the report. Los Angeles would send Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone and a future first-round pick to Atlanta while Denver is expected to receive draft compensation for Gallinari, who has played with the Nuggets for the past six seasons.
Should Gallinari head to the Clippers, the team would feature a potent frontcourt that includes All-Stars Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Griffin agreed to a five-year deal on Friday.
Los Angeles is trying to reload its roster in the wake of All-Star point guard Chris Paul’s departure to the Houston Rockets.
Gallinari became expendable for the Nuggets after they agreed to a deal with Atlanta forward Paul Millsap. The 28-year-old Italian averaged 18.2 points and shot 38.9 percent from 3-point range in 63 games last season.