Danilo Gallinari has criticized Kawhi Leonard over the events that led to his departure from the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, arguing that the NBA star should have to pay the full $50 million cost of the franchise’s penalty.
Speaking on the A Cresta Alta podcast, Gallinari connected his trade from the Clippers to Oklahoma City to Leonard’s demands during the 2019 offseason. He also criticized the $700,000 fine Leonard received from the NBA following its investigation into the Clippers.
“Of those 50 million, he should pay all of them. He changed the trajectory of my career and got me into trouble by sending me away from Los Angeles,” Gallinari said, according to Pianetabasket.com.
The former Italy international was referring to the Clippers’ decision to acquire Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of their effort to convince Leonard to sign with the franchise. The July 2019 trade sent Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and five first-round picks to Oklahoma City for George.
Gallinari said the consequences of that decision ultimately fell on him.
“In the end, the one who paid was me. My NBA career was not dependent on a general manager or an owner, but on a player who decided that team was not good enough and wanted something else,” Gallinari said.
The 2019 trade significantly altered the careers of both Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander. Gallinari played one season in Oklahoma City before moving to the Atlanta Hawks, while Gilgeous-Alexander became a franchise cornerstone for the Thunder and eventually developed into an MVP-caliber player.
Gallinari acknowledged that the trade also produced positive outcomes for both players, but he maintained his criticism of Leonard.
“He should give that money to charity. He should pay it all, not just 700,000,” Gallinari said.
Gallinari’s comments come as Leonard remains at the center of an unresolved situation between the Clippers and Toronto Raptors. Los Angeles agreed to trade Leonard to Toronto on June 30 in a deal that would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks to the Clippers.
The transaction has yet to become official. Jake Fischer reported that the Clippers are still not ready to resume discussions with Toronto, despite Leonard already joining Raptors players for a minicamp-style retreat in Miami.
The situation follows the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers’ handling of off-court income opportunities involving Leonard and companies doing business with the franchise. The league fined the Clippers $30 million and took away their first-round picks from 2029 through 2033.
Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension, while Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker were suspended without pay. Leonard was fined $700,000 without a suspension, and his contract remained valid.
Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games for the Clippers last season, shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range. He was selected to the All-NBA Second Team and finished seventh in MVP voting.
