Gallinari: I'm really excited to be teammates with Kawhi and hope Coach Lue will develop me like he did with Irving.

On February 5th, Beijing time, Clippers newcomer Gallinari gave an interview sharing his thoughts on the trade. He was thrilled to become Kawhi's teammate and talked about his connection with Coach Lue, hoping for similar development to what Irving received.

At the beginning of the interview, Gallinari expressed gratitude towards the Cleveland Cavaliers. "I had an amazing experience in Cleveland, where my professional journey started. I had only played five college games when the team drafted me, which was definitely a leap of faith. So, I truly appreciate everything they have done for me."

Discussing his relationship with Coach Lue, Gallinari said, "Our connection actually goes back to my rookie summer league. I remember we went to see a Kevin Hart comedy show or something like that, and that’s when our bond really began. Since then, after facing the Clippers multiple times and occasionally running into him during summer, our friendship grew stronger. But now, officially playing under Lue, I’m extremely excited. I know how well he developed Kyrie Irving, who has always been my idol; I often emulate his playing style. So, I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of tactics he will tailor for me. I believe our mentor-mentee relationship will deepen over time. Even after just two days, our chemistry has improved a lot, let alone for the whole season and beyond."

Talking about his new teammate Kawhi, Gallinari said, "I’m so thrilled to be teammates with him. Playing alongside Zubac and John Collins is also fantastic. Dunn will be my backcourt partner, and just thinking about that excites me. His style is very tough, especially on defense, which is really promising. Even the young players on the team are full of energy. Overall, I’m extremely excited about this trade and can’t wait to hit the court with everyone."

When asked what he can bring to the Clippers, Gallinari replied, "I’m a point guard primarily responsible for ball handling and pushing the offense. I can relieve pressure from opponents’ full-court presses and help organize the team’s attack smoothly. I’ll run pick-and-rolls with big men like Zubac and DeAndre, and deliver alley-oop passes to Collins. As for Kawhi, he’s just himself; he always creates magic on the court, and I’ll fully support his rhythm. My goal is to make things easier for him and the rest of the team by creating more catch-and-shoot opportunities and feeding them with cuts and alley-oops. Of course, I’ll stay aggressive and look for my own shots because that also helps open up space for my teammates."

He then continued talking about his idol Irving. "Kyrie is Kyrie; everyone knows how dominant he was at his peak, and even now, he remains one of the league’s top players. What I admire most about him is his mindset during games, shooting rhythm, footwork, and of course, his incredible ball-handling and crossovers. He can effortlessly get past defenders with speed and skill. I feel we share some similar technical traits. I hope Coach Tyronn Lue can develop me the same way he did Kyrie and lead me toward a championship."

It’s worth mentioning that Gallinari’s father was also an NBA player and once played for the Clippers. Speaking about his father, Gallinari said, "Honestly, he hasn’t said much. He’s just been encouraging me to quickly adapt to life in Los Angeles and the culture of the Clippers and this team. I know after this game, we’ll have a good talk; he’ll help me analyze many things and give me advice."