After a turbulent start to the offseason, the Boston Celtics dipped into the free agent market and landed a name you might not expect: Luka Garza. With their hands tied by the luxury tax and a roster overhaul well underway, Boston is taking a flier on Garza’s upside—and they may well be rewarded.
The Celtics’ two free agency signings—Garza and Josh Minott—spoke to reporters for the first time as Celtics during halftime of the team’s Summer League matchup with the Knicks.
Why Luka Garza Picked the Celtics
For Garza, the decision came down to two things: opportunity and legacy.
“The franchise speaks for itself, just the winning and the history and I’m a big basketball junkie so obviously the chance to put on that uniform and play for the Celtics is attractive enough,” Garza said. “But obviously, there’s a lot of opportunity, especially in the front court, with the guys that we have. I think the front office and the coaches believe in me and what I can do.” (via Noa Dalzell)
A Proven College Winner, Still With Upside
Garza, 26, will be entering his fifth NBA season. While his minutes were limited on a deep Minnesota Timberwolves squad last year, he has consistently produced in short spurts. In college, he became a legend at Iowa—winning National Player of the Year, earning two Big Ten Player of the Year awards, and finishing as the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Still, the Celtics aren’t asking him to be a star. They’re asking him to compete for rotation minutes, bring energy off the bench, and give them toughness in the paint.
Why Boston Took a Chance
Team President Brad Stevens offered insight into the Celtics’ thought process:
“As we have a team that is being retooled, the biggest thing is bringing in guys that can compliment our best players and our core, but also have some upside—maybe some unrealized upside thus far.”
(via Noa Dalzell)
The front office saw something in Garza’s production, intangibles, and work ethic. And for a franchise dealing with injuries, roster churn, and limited spending flexibility, finding undervalued contributors is essential.
Stevens emphasized how much he valued Garza’s background:
“Luka was in a great situation being coached by a great coach in Chris Finch and a great organization with a ton of talent. And they’re used to winning. I like that, too.” (via Noa Dalzell)
A Window of Opportunity
Garza joins a Boston frontcourt that has undergone major changes. Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Jrue Holiday are all gone. Al Horford is unlikely to return. The path to bench minutes has never been more open.
Garza knows the opportunity is real—and so does the Celtics’ front office. This isn’t a splashy signing, but it’s a meaningful one for a team looking for depth, hunger, and upside.
What’s Next for the Celtics’ New Big
In a chaotic offseason defined by change, the Celtics may have quietly landed a piece who fits both the moment and the mission. Luka Garza has a lot to prove. Boston is giving him the shot.
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