Boston changed course on the open market by acquiring some frontcourt assistance shortly after the Celtics lost Luke Kornet to the Spurs in free agency.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Celtics have agreed to a two-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $5.5 million with free-agent center Luka Garza.
After a terrible offseason thus far, the Celtics needed a backup plan to deal with their frontcourt depth.
In addition to Kornet’s departure in free agency and the Celtics’ salary-clearing trade of Kristaps Porzingisto to the Hawks earlier this month, Boston also has to cope with the real prospect of Al Horford departing the team this week.
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Garza, 26, played in 39 games for the Timberwolves last season, averaging 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds.
Garza, who was selected 53rd overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, has been in Minnesota for the past three seasons.
The 6-foot-10 center’s variety of post moves allow him to contribute offensively, but at the NBA level, his defensive skills have frequently fallen short.
Garza was a dominant player in the paint during his collegiate career at Iowa, winning National College Player of the Year in 2021 after averaging 24.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game with the Hawkeyes. This is in spite of his inconsistent play against NBA competition in recent years.
The Celtics still have a lot of work to do this summer to accommodate for possible offseason departures, whether it’s an impact starter like Porzingis or possibly a crucial experienced bench regular like Horford, even though Garza at least provides Boston some scoring depth up top going ahead.
Since 2023, Conor Ryan has worked as a staff writer for Boston.com, covering the Boston Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
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