Garza scored 20 points (7-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-8 Ft) while adding nine rebounds, an assist and a steal in 22 minutes off the bench during Friday's preseason win over the Lakers. The 25-year-old center played big minutes as the Timberwolves eased key frontcourt players like Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid into the preseason schedule. Garza isn't expected to have a big role for Minnesota once again in 2024-25, but the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle gives Garza a slightly clearer path to minutes at center should injuries hit the team's big men.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Luka Garza news
Birthdate
12/27/1998 (25)
Status
ACT
HT/WT
6'10", 243 lbs
Draft Info
2021: Rd 2; Pk 52 (DET)
Birthplace
Washington, DC, USA
Position
PF
College
Iowa
Experience
3 seasons
Career History
Minnesota Timberwolves
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Detroit Pistons
2021-2022
(1 season)
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Garza scored 20 points (7-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-8 Ft) while adding nine rebounds, an assist and a steal in 22 minutes off the bench during Friday's preseason win over the Lakers. The 25-year-old center played big minutes as the Timberwolves eased key frontcourt players like Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid into the preseason schedule. Garza isn't expected to have a big role for Minnesota once again in 2024-25, but the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle gives Garza a slightly clearer path to minutes at center should injuries hit the team's big men.
Garza and the Timberwolves agreed to a two-year deal Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Specifics of the deal are currently unknown, but this is likely a cap-friendly deal for the Timberwolves. Garza was used sparingly last season, appearing in 25 games with averages of 4.0 points and 1.2 rebounds. With Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid leading the frontcourt, Garza figures to be an end-of-bench depth piece again in 2024-25.
The Timberwolves converted Garza's two-way deal to a standard NBA contract Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports. As a two-way player, Garza had been splitting time between the NBA and G League level season, making 21 appearances for Minnesota and 14 for the Iowa Wolves. He's seen a slight uptick in opportunities with the Timberwolves since Karl-Anthony Towns underwent surgery just over a month ago to address a torn meniscus, but Garza is still averaging a modest 7.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.7 minutes over his last seven outings. By moving him off his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract, Garza will now be eligible to play in the postseason, though the Timberwolves could have Towns available by that point.
Garza posted no counting stats in one minute during Friday's 111-98 win over Denver. Garza closed the game Friday, logging one minute in garbage time. He has been a non-factor once again this season, averaging 3.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.0 minutes per game. Even with Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined due to a knee injury, Garza has been unable to carve out a meaningful role.
Garza contributed eight points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt) and one rebound over 11 minutes during Monday's 114-104 win over the Jazz. Garza saw some rare floor time Monday, as Rudy Gobert (ribs) did not play and Naz Reid left the game early with a head injury. Garza made the most of his limited minutes and is someone whom fantasy managers in very deep leagues can monitor while Gobert and Reid are being evaluated.
Garza racked up nine points (2-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 10 minutes during Sunday's 120-109 loss to the Lakers. Garza saw minutes in the second half and made his presence felt on the offensive end, hitting a buzzer-beater in the third and finishing with nine points despite playing less than an entire quarter. The Timberwolves are dealing with absences in the frontcourt, and if Rudy Gobert (hamstring) ends up missing Tuesday's matchup against the Clippers, Garza could be in line for a bigger role as Naz Reid's primary backup.