July 7: The Celtics’ deal with Garza is now being listed as official in NBA.com’s transaction log.
June 30: The Celtics have agreed to a two-year deal with center Luka Garza, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link). Keith Smith of Spotrac confirms (via Twitter) that the deal is a minimum-salary contract, which would come in around $5.3MM across those two seasons.
The 26-year-old Garza is entering his fifth season in the league. He began his career in Detroit before spending the past three seasons with the Timberwolves, with whom he averaged 4.5 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.3 minutes per night in 92 total games.
Jon Krawcyznski of The Athletic tweets that the Celtics have had an eye on Garza for a while, having previously inquired about his availability.
After losing Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks and Luke Kornet to the Spurs, and with Al Horford drawing significant interest around the NBA, the Celtics find their frontcourt rotation very thin, with just Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta under contract.
Garza has never averaged more than 8.7 minutes per game, but he brings size, scoring and energy to a team that is looking to remain competitive as Jayson Tatum recovers from his ruptured Achilles.
I’m gonna miss Kornet
They told the Lakers they got their own Luka
Durant is finally right about which Luka got traded!
Celtics next draft pick looking good, lols.
AJ Dybantsa, the Massachusetts local. Lol
Only way to come hard again really with this CBA. Rookie scale guys who contribute.
IF you want to have sustained success, you must:
1. Pay your stars
2. Draft well
3. Develop cheap talent for the bench.
Brad has been doing that with Pritchard, Hauser and Kornet. Now he will have to begin again with new players to develop.
Boston could never pay Kornet $10 Million with the new CBA. Plus I feel that Brad decided Al Horfords 3 pt shooting was worth more than Kornets Pick and Roll/Offensive rebounding.
I trust Brad. If he says Garza can be developed, I believe him.
Garza’s problem will not be scoring. IT will be defense.
He’s a hard worker, similar to Kornet so seems like a good fit.
See i think Brad has a plan.
Tatum will be back in April. He just has to keep the team competitive and let Jaylen Brown develop. Make a solid trade deadline deal and then hit the weak East in the crotch in the playoffs with Tatum, Brown, White and Pritchard.
My point is the Celtics are NOT tanking.
They will be there in the East in the playoffs. Tatum is the kind of guy who is not going to sit a full year and Brown is ready to take on a bigger role as is White
I am also a Celtic fan so take my opinions for what they are…hope.
A lottery pick couldn’t hurt. Rebuilds are part of the game. Be greatful it’s not a full tear down.
1.6 Reb, not Assists.
Will turn into a star in Celtics green.
Many have shined most brightly in Boston, like IT, D White, Luke, TimeLord, Crowder, Avery, Kelly O, etc. Let’s hope Luka Garza comes alive.
Good move for Garza. Celtics just made Kornet a very rich man.
Celtics love tall unathletic white guys
And winning championships with them.
Kornet was exceptional at getting offensive rebounds and passing out to 3 pt shooters.
Garza can do the same AND shoot 3s.
Kornet is 10 times the defensive player Garza is.
Garza will do better in green.
Same same? 6-10 isn’t exactly 7-2, but he’s a white dude right?
Their games are dramatically different you big hoops fan you,
Best bench hype man in the league
This is a good place for him. Garza can shoot. Hasn’t gotten a real chance yet. They will need him now that Kornet is gone.
Garza’s potential is Horford.
Yeah I feel the same.
I think Boston will keep Al and let him tutor Garza.
Solid underrated pick up. Garza will produce in Boston – Timberwolves big rotation was just too deep.