The Timberwolves have officially signed free agent forward/center Luka Garza, the team announced today in a press release. The Wolves also confirmed the previously reported signing of CJ Elleby, which was made official a couple weeks ago.
Garza, 23, was selected by the Pistons with the 52nd overall pick in the 2021 draft and spent his rookie season in Detroit, averaging 5.8 PPG and 3.1 RPG in 32 games (12.2 MPG). He was a standout for the Motor City Cruise, Detroit’s G League affiliate, putting up 20.6 PPG and 9.5 RPG in 16 games (29.8 MPG) and earning a spot on the All-NBAGL Third Team.
Garza’s contract with the Pistons was for two years, but the 2022/23 season was a team option, which Detroit declined, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The former Iowa star is now on track to attend training camp with Minnesota, though it’s unclear if there will be any room for him on the club’s 15-man roster. The Timberwolves currently have 12 players on guaranteed contracts, with Austin Rivers, Jaylen Nowell, and Nathan Knight seemingly the frontrunners to fill out the regular season squad.
If Garza doesn’t make the Timberwolves’ 15-man roster or end up on a two-way deal, he could become an affiliate player for the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s G League team. Terms of his contract aren’t known, but if it includes Exhibit 10 language, he’d be eligible for a bonus worth up to $50K if he spends at least 60 days with Iowa.
Counting their two-way players, the Timberwolves now have 19 players under contract.
Thought this guy was supposed to be good
yeah, in college.
Yeah he’s the typical elite college player with no athleticism
Good signing. He can be a good PF/C third option. He couldn’t reach his full potential last year while playing for the worst team in the league. I still don’t see Pistons making the playoff for next 5 years.
Garza reminds me of Raef LaFrentz, a good shooter and rebounder but a lackluster defender. He’s a solid enough bench and rotation player, but unless he takes a big step forward, I don’t see him as a starter at any point during his career.
I like that comparison, but somebody thought very highly of Raef as he went 3rd overall. Garza had no hype going into the draft. Low risk bet late in the 2nd round.
Raef was a much better athlete.
Raef Lafrentz. Lol
If they set up KAT in a perimeter big, low defensive responsibility type of role, Luka would make an excellent backup doing the same
He can score, but nothing special about that if you can’t switch to defense after.
Hopefully he has been putting in work on that end of his game to get more minutes.
Ever heard of Trae Young?
Great signing. Now fine a young PG prospect
That’s Spagnolo in the future
If Jokic couldn’t pass he would be Luka Garza
Luka .. Garza… the best Luka to ever step foot on the court ….. in the gleague