Timberwolves Transitioning Luka Garza Deal to Regular Contract
The Minnesota Timberwolves are upgrading center Luka Garza’s two-way contract to a standard deal, as reported by NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic. This move ensures Garza’s eligibility for the postseason.
Standing at 6-foot-10, Garza is currently in his second season with Minnesota following his rookie stint with the Detroit Pistons. Throughout this season, he has appeared in 21 games for the Timberwolves, dividing his time between the NBA and G League. In his minutes on the court for the Timberwolves, he’s averaging 4.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game in 5.2 minutes.
In a recent dominant win over the Toronto Raptors, Garza showcased his scoring ability by tallying 16 points in just nine minutes of play.
With Minnesota vying for first place in the Western Conference standings alongside the Denver Nuggets, this contract conversion comes at an opportune time. Notably, the Timberwolves currently have an available roster spot, eliminating the need for additional adjustments to accommodate Garza.
Garza, aged 25 and hailing from Washington, D.C., rose to prominence during his collegiate career at Iowa. He was initially selected by the Pistons as the No. 52 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, where he played in 32 games, averaging 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds.
Following his rookie season, Garza became a free agent when his contract option was declined by the Pistons. He then joined the Timberwolves through a training camp contract in August 2022, subsequently signing a two-way deal prior to the season. Until now, Garza has been under a two-way contract during his tenure with the Timberwolves, having signed another such contract in July 2023.
Justin Grasso of SI.com noted, “Encouraged by Garza’s performance during his second season with Minnesota, the Timberwolves opted to retain him on a two-way deal for the majority of the 2023-2024 NBA season.”
