Danilo Gallinari has left the Knicks and returned to Italy to seek yet another medical opinion about his aching back and may need surgery, the New York Daily News reports.

Gallinari has shown a great deal of promise for Mike D'Antoni's team -- displaying a very smooth outside shot and better toughness and defense than most expected of the rookie. But his progress has been slowed by the back problems, which have plagued him since the preseason.

The news makes the Knicks' other recent roster move -- the signing of forward Demetris Nichols to a second 10-day contract -- a lot more interesting from a fantasy perspective. Nichols hasn't distinguished himself in various NBA stints to date, but he keeps getting looks because he can shoot the three.

With Wilson Chandler nursing a sore ankle and Quentin Richardson always an injury risk, it's not outrageous to think that a guy like Nichols could see some action for New York down the stretch... and he certainly wouldn't be the first unheralded player Mike D'Antoni transformed into a fantasy option.Players in deep leagues, or with unused bench options, take note.