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Nuggets’ Danilo Gallinari says he is likely done for season

Danilo Gallinari, James Johnson

Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari, left, of Italy, looks to pass the ball as Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

AP

Back in late February when Danilo Gallinari injured his ankle, the timeline was he would miss seven games and be back mid-March to a Nuggets team finding it’s identity of late. Then came the news he had torn a couple of ligaments in his ankle. The timeline for his return became late March, but with the team out of the playoff picture why would they rush his return?

They’re not. Gallinari said he is unlikely to return this season, in an interview with Sky Sports for his native Italy, via the fantastic Sportando.

This shouldn’t be a shock.

Gallinari had a good season, averaging 19.5 points a game and shooting 36.4 percent from three. Denver’s offense was better when he was on the court, but the defense suffered just about as much to balance things out.

Denver looked at the trade market for Gallinari at the deadline in February but didn’t find a deal to their liking. Expect those talks to heat up again this summer. Gallinari is in the first year of an extension that pays him $15 million next season, then he has a player option for $16.1 million for 2017-18, numbers that aren’t out of line under the new cap for a guy who can give you almost 20 points a night and play the stretch four.