Former Pistons Draft Pick Sees Contract Upgrade With T’Wolves

Former Detroit Pistons center Luka Garza gets a promotion with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jul 7, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Luka Garza (40) shoots between | Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Pistons didn’t see a future with their former second-round pick out of Iowa, Luka Garza. After taking the versatile big man with the 52nd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Pistons had a role for him at first.

During his rookie effort, Garza appeared in 32 games with the Pistons. While he collected a handful of starts, he mostly averaged 12 minutes off the bench.

During that time, Garza averaged six points on 45 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent shooting from three. He also collected three rebounds on the glass per game.

Although Garza wasn’t a two-way contracted player for his run with the Pistons, he still found himself splitting time between Detroit and its G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.

After his rookie season in Detroit, Garza’s contract option was declined, making him a free agent. In 2022, Garza landed with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-way contract. In 2022-2023, Garza appeared in 28 games for Minnesota’s main roster, averaging a career-high seven points per game.

Encouraged by what Garza put on display during his sophomore effort in Minnesota, the Timberwolves brought him back on a two-way deal for the majority of the 2023-2024 NBA season.

This year, Garza competed in 21 games with the Wolves. While he averaged fewer than five minutes on the court with his appearances, the Timberwolves were intrigued enough to ensure that Garza should stick around beyond the G League season.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Timberwolves plan to convert Garza’s contract to a standard deal. He’ll become eligible for Minnesota’s playoff roster.

At this point in the season, the Timberwolves are 53-23, which places them first in the Western Conference. With a playoff spot already locked in, Garza is bound to be a part of the postseason experience.