Gallinari, Nuggets talking extension

Danilo Gallinari is in the process of playing his best season of his career and the Denver Nuggets are hoping to award him with a contract extension this season.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, negotiations for an extension are underway between Gallinari’s representatives and the Nuggets front office.

The deadline for an extension is Jan. 25, and Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls is the only player from the 2008 class to get an extension.

There is no guarantee that a deal will be reached, especially since the Nuggets have signed Nene and Arron Afflalo to large contracts. Stein mentioned that there is a chance the Nuggets tell Gallinari to wait.

Gallinari, who is only 23, is averaging a career best 17.2 points from the field, while shooting .47 percent from field. He also is averaging 1.8 steals a contest and has scored 20 or more points in five of his last seven games.

Kevin Love and Nicolas Batum are both in talks for extension, but players like Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez and Roy Hibbert are set to be restricted free agents.