1:45pm: Garza has officially been promoted to a standard deal, Minnesota confirmed in a press release.
10:49am: Luka Garza‘s two-way contract is being converted to a standard deal by the Timberwolves, The Athletic’s Shams Charania tweets. That will make Garza eligible for postseason action.
Minnesota has an open roster spot, so a corresponding move won’t be necessary to promote the third-year big man.
A former second-round pick, Garza is in his second season with the Timberwolves after having spent his rookie campaign with Detroit in 2021/22. The 6’10” center has appeared in 21 games this season, averaging 4.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.2 minutes per game. Garza scored 16 points in just nine minutes against Toronto on Wednesday.
The former University of Iowa star will give Timberwolves coach Chris Finch another frontcourt option for the playoffs. Karl-Anthony Towns underwent knee surgery last month and his postseason status is uncertain.
The deadline to sign players to two-way contracts passed a month ago, so Minnesota’s third two-way slot will remain open for the rest of the season once Garza’s promotion is official.
Let’s go Luke!
Definitely earned it
Great move! He’s a great energy guy. Each time I see him though I automatically am taken back to when Wally was on our team. I swear he must be his son or related or something. :)
About time
G League looking for a new goat
Imagine front office talks mentioning, “We gotta have LUKE GARZA available for us for the Playoffs!”