Danilo Gallinari addressed long-running speculation about a possible reunion with Olimpia Milano, making clear that a return to the club is highly unlikely at this stage of his career.
Speaking with Pianeta Basket after winning a championship in Puerto Rico with Vaqueros de Bayamón, the 37-year-old forward explained that while he once dreamed of finishing his career in Milan, the circumstances no longer support that possibility.
“I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I consider it very, very unlikely,” Gallinari said. “The more time passes, the more complicated it seems.”
Gallinari played for Olimpia Milano from 2005 to 2008 and briefly again in 2011 during the NBA lockout. He has repeatedly expressed admiration for the club, but he emphasized that a return requires mutual interest.
“First of all, in order to return to Milan, you have to be wanted,” Gallinari added. “It’s not like I wake up one morning, make a call and say, ‘Hey guys, I’m ready to come back, do you want me?’ That’s not how it works.”
The veteran forward also revealed that he has never received a direct approach from Milano’s management, despite being contacted by several European teams during his NBA career.
“I thank all the teams that reached out, showing interest—even while I was under contract in the U.S.—to ask what my situation was or what my future plans were. But I have never received a phone call from Milan,” Gallinari explained.
Gallinari entered the NBA in 2008 with the New York Knicks and went on to play 16 seasons in the league, averaging 14.9 points and 4.7 rebounds across 777 career games. He enjoyed his most productive years with Denver, including a 19.5 points per game season in 2015–16.
More recently, Gallinari had short stints with Washington, Detroit, and Milwaukee before signing with Bayamón in Puerto Rico, where he played a key role in securing the 2025 championship.
At 37, Gallinari admitted that a return to Europe is difficult, citing both basketball and personal reasons. “To come back, you have to be wanted. At 37, it’s now very difficult to return to Europe for both basketball and non-basketball reasons,” he said.
While his ties to Olimpia Milano remain strong, Gallinari’s comments suggest that his career will likely continue away from the club where he first emerged as one of Italy’s top prospects.
