It seemed like trade talks between Miami and OKC ended just as quickly as they began. The ultimate demise? Gallinari and Miami are just not on the same timeline.
Miami is looking short-term when it comes to contracts. The 2021 summer is stocked with free agents – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard to name a few – and Miami wants to sign one or two of them. This means that flexibility is key and why they gave Iguodala a team option in the second year of his deal.
Gallinari’s camp is looking long-term. He’s injury-prone, which means now is the time to capitalize on a large contract while healthy, and at the age of 31 this will likely be his last chance. He’s also been playing the best basketball of his career the last two seasons, which means he has earned himself north of $20M per year.
Miami’s offer for a team option is basically telling Gallinari’s camp “We want you, but also want to be able to dump your contract if something nicer and shinier comes along”. That’s not exactly an appealing offer for someone in his situation.
So why is this good for OKC? Well it can only mean one thing: Gallinari WANTS to be here.
Of course, he also wants a championship and will go to another team under the right conditions. Gallinari could have very easily taken the Miami offer if he wanted out of OKC. But he didn’t. He’s actually content on staying here. No desperation to leave whatsoever.
If you are a Thunder fan, you should be smiling ear to ear, because this decision is sending a strong message to the league: this team has great chemistry, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.