Danilo Gallinari isn't headed to NBA free agency.
The veteran forward has exercised the $6.8 million player option in his contract to return to the Boston Celtics, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
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Gallinari was signed by the Celtics last July to add bench scoring and outside shooting. But he tore his left ACL playing for Italy in a FIBA qualifying game in August and never played for the C's during the 2022-23 season.
The 34-year-old forward averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 assists per game, along with 38.1 percent 3-point shooting in 66 games for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2021-22 season.
With Gallinari back in the fold, the Celtics can turn their attention to another important free agent -- Grant Williams.