Ex-Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari, part of Carmelo trade, calls it a career

Former Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari is retiring from professional basketball.

Gallinari made that announcement on social media on Tuesday morning, playing 777 games in the NBA and even more internationally. He spent parts of six years in Denver, while also suiting up for the Knicks, Hawks, Clippers, Thunder, Wizards, Bucks and Pistons.

Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from the career I’ve always dreamed of.  

It’s been an incredible journey filled with countless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 🏀❤️ pic.twitter.com/UjRhTL8ZdP

— DANILO GALLINARI (@gallinari8888) December 2, 2025

Danilo Gallinari was a key part of the biggest trade in Nuggets history, the Carmelo Anthony deal back in 2011. Denver shipped Anthony, Chauncey Billups and a slew of other players to the Knicks for a package that included Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, Kosta Koufos and draft picks.

Nuggets head coach George Karl made it work without the superstar Anthony and instead team first guys like Gallinari. Denver would go on to win 57 games during the 2012-13 season, with Gallinari averaging 16.2 points per game and 4.3 rebounds.

However, in an extremely unfortunate break, Gallinari tore his ACL in April of 2013. The Nuggets would go on to lose in the first-round of the NBA playoffs to the Golden State Warriors without him, launching one of the great dynasties in league history.

Gallinari missed the entire following season rehabbing his injury and played in Denver through the end of the 2017 season before eventually landing with the Los Angeles Clippers. Overall, Gallinari averaged exactly 16.2 points per game in 303 contests in a Nuggets uniform.

He bounced around the NBA after leaving the Mile High City, but fans will always have fond memories of Danilo Gallinari here in Denver. When the Anthony trade stung, he was part of a new group of guys that proved unselfish basketball can lead to a lot of wins.

Certainly, everyone wishes Gallinari well in retirement while also eager to see what’s next for the 37-year-old.

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