Luka Garza News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/luka-garza/ Minnesota sports, but different Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:18:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Luka Garza News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/luka-garza/ 32 32 Timberwolves Trade NAW; Former Players Sign Elsewhere https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/nickeil-alexander-walker-sign-and-trade-jones-garza-russell-free-agency/ Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:18:57 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=64530 Although contracts can’t officially be signed until July 6, NBA free agency kicked off in earnest on Monday night. The Minnesota Timberwolves had already extended key bigs, Naz Reid and Julius Randle over the weekend, which ultimately lead to Luka Garza and Josh Minott being cut loose.

Minnesota Timberwolves send NAW to Atlanta for payday

On Monday, the Wolves started the day by re-upping for one more year of player/unofficial bench coach, Joe Ingles. Then, later in the evening, it news broke that the Timberwolves had traded Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Atlanta Hawks in a sign and trade that netted them a 2nd round pick and a future trade exception.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker played the 2024-25 season on one of the most team-friendly contracts in the NBA. In his second full season with the Minnesota Timberwolves NAW became a rotation fixture and one of the most under-the-radar stars in the game. Now he gets his payday.

For some time, it’s been assumed that he would sign elsewhere this offseason, given Minnesota’s current financial situation. His market was going to be robust, so the Timberwolves took advantage by trading him before he hit the open market.

Timberwolves hamstrung by 2nd Apron

From here, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly is expected to sit back for the majority of the offseason. The Minnesota Timberwolves 2025-26 salary number now sits at $204.3 million, according to Spotrac.

That leaves them just $3.5 million short of the 2nd apron luxury tax threshold, of $207.8 million. The Wolves must stay below that number or face massive penalties, both financial and from a roster-building standpoint.

The Timberwolves orchestrated a sign-and-trade with Alexander-Walker to facilitate his new deal with Atlanta. They did pick up a second round pick and some cash in the swap.

The four-year $62 million payday was substantially more than Minnesota would have been able to offer him. Last season NAW made $4.3 million in the second year of a two-year $9 million extension he signed with the Timberwolves.

NAW played all 82 games for Minnesota this season. It was the second-straight year he had accomplished that feat. He also made 10 starts for Chris Finch. In 2024-25 NAW averaged 9.4 points per game on 43.8% shooting.

He now heads to an Atlanta team with Trae Young at the helm. It should be expected that Alexander-Walker will be given a bit more freedom in the rotation even after averaging 25.3 minutes per game with the Minnesota Timberwolves this past year.

More former Wolves find new homes

It wasn’t just NAW that was on the move Monday night. Monday night’s pre-free agency frenzy saw multiple former Minnesota Timberwolves sign on the dotted line with other teams around the league.

It didn’t take long for Luka Garza to find a new home, after the Wolves declined his player option for the upcoming season. Last night, the former Iowa Hawkeye superstar agreed to terms with the Boston Celtics on a two-year deal worth $5.5 million guaranteed.

It has been a while since Tyus Jones played for the Timberwolves. However, the “one of us” guard could have potentially been an option to fill the playmaker role Minnesota needs this summer. In theory, a reunion made sense.

Unfortunately, that won’t happen. Instead, he will join another fellow Twin Cities native, Jalen Suggs, in Orlando, after he and the Magic agreed to terms on a new deal. Speaking of “keeping up with the Jones'”, Tyus’ little brother Tre Jones is staying in Chicago, after he signed a three-year contract for $24 million.

Related: Minnesota Timberwolves Bring Back Veteran Free Agent

The memories of D’Angelo Russell, around these parts, aren’t all that positive. Since being traded away, the former Minnesota Timberwolves point guard has bounced around between Los Angeles and Brooklyn.

Now, he is joining the Dallas Mavericks, where he’ll team up with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and top pick Cooper Flagg on what appears to be an immediate title contender a future title contender

]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 09:18:39 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves MN Timberwolves Let Promising Young Bigs Walk https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/luka-garza-josh-minott-team-options-declined-free-agency/ Sun, 29 Jun 2025 23:58:45 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=64485 The NBA Draft is in the rearview mirror. The Minnesota Timberwolves used their two selections on two 18-year-old big men, Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarski. Days later, they spent money on extensions for both Naz Reid and Julius Randle.

With president of basketball operations Tim Connelly adding and retaining four post players in the last week, the Wolves decided it was time to let two of their young depth bigs hit the open market.

Luka Garza and Josh Minott have Minnesota Timberwolves options declined

The Minnesota Timberwolves are up against the second apron when it comes to luxury tax implications for 2025-26 season. That’s part of the reason that expectations are for Nickeil Alexander-Walker to move on. Luka Garza and Josh Minott weren’t necessarily on the radar, but they’re now on the way out.

As The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski points out, it’s possible that the MN Timberwolves bring Garza back with a mid-level exception. That isn’t exactly straightforward though, considering Minnesota still needs to spend on other areas of the roster.

Related: Former Timberwolves Guard Being Investigated for Betting on NBA Games

Luka Garza is something of a fan-favorite considering he hails from Iowa. After playing for the Pistons as a rookie, Garza has spent three seasons with the Timberwolves. He never averaged more than 8.7 minutes per game, and his 3.5 points per game last season were a career-low.

Head coach Chris Finch didn’t routinely put Garza on the floor, but he did show some flashes during limited stretches. It’s unfortunate the Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t keeping him around on such a minimal contract, but that’s what happens when you’re up against the 2nd apron for the second-straight season, like the Wolves are.

What will Timberwolves lose with Minott, Garza departures?

Josh Minott has been more hype than production pretty much since the moment Minnesota selected him in the 2nd round of the 2022 NBA Draft. as was expected with his raw profile.

In his third year with the Timberwolves, the former Memphis big man averaged 22 points and 6.3 rebounds per game down in Iowa, along with 2.6 points in 6.0 minutes per game in the NBA. Without a doubt, both Garza and Minott will have NBA opportunities on the open market.

The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski even left the door open for a possible Luka Garza return (on the mid-level exception), though that sounds unlikely. While the Wolves may now be on the lookout for a veteran post to stash on the end of the bench, it doesn’t sound like Garza will be that guy.

Now entering the meat of the National Basketball Association offseason, Minnesota is still in need of another ball handler and/or wing scorer to help ease the offensive weight on Anthony Edwards’ shoulders. But after they paid Naz and Randle, they don’t really have money to do either.

Free agency officially begins on Monday June 30 at 5pm central time, though deals cannot be officially signed until July 6th. As expected for a while, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will join Luka Garza and Josh Minott as Minnesota Timberwolves who will be swimming in that rather shallow 2025 NBA free agency pool.

]]> Sun, 29 Jun 2025 19:40:27 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves Julius Randle Still Doesn’t Make Logical Sense on the Timberwolves https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-rumors/julius-randle-does-not-fit-wolves/ Sat, 05 Oct 2024 17:34:03 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=55790 The Minnesota Timberwolves played the first game of their 2024-25 preseason on Friday night. There were a lot of interesting takeaways, given how different this team now looks, even without newcomer Julius Randle on the floor.

But without a doubt, there was one observation that overshadowed all the others in last night’s 124-107 defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers: President of Basketball Operations had no other choice than to move on from Karl-Anthony Towns, especially after they were able to retain Luka Garza in the offseason.

Minnesota Timberwolves flush with front-court talent

Calm down, this is not about comparing the Iowa Hawkeye legend to KAT. This is about ALL of the big man depth on display last night. Rudy Gobert (2 PTS, 2 REB) and Naz Reid (5 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL) started in the Wolves front court. They played 10 minutes together, all in the 1st quarter. Minnesota was +10 during that time.

Unsurprisingly, Rudy Gobert was a bit bumbly and stumbly. He also had 2 fouls, a TO and went 0/2 shooting free throws. So Rudy’s statline could be a Shaq punchline by Monday. But the real ones know. Rudy is who he is and he is going to help the Minnesota Timberwolves win a bunch of regular season basketball games this season.

Then, there’s the aforementioned Naz Reid, who was hands-down the best player on the floor last night between both starting units. At this point in his development, there really isn’t anything Naz can’t do. Put a smaller defender on him, and he’ll play big.

Related: NBA Insider Reveals Even More Details On Why Timberwolves Traded KAT

Put a big man on him, and Reid will bounce out to the perimeter, where he’s absolutely lethal from deep. If that post defender somehow finds his way out in time, few offer any hope of keeping the 6’9″, 25 y/o athletic freak of nature in front of them.

Does Julius Randle really fit on the Wolves roster with Naz Reid?

And that brings us to Julius Randle. He doesn’t fit on this roster for the same reason KAT didn’t… or the same reason former GM Thad Levine apparently didn’t fit in the Minnesota Twins organization anymore, right across the street.

Because younger, cheaper talent, with brighter horizons than what the 6’9″ 29 y/o former comeback player of the year has left to offer. Actually, Randle turns 30 y/o in November, so that’s probably the better age to see him as. Naz just turned 25 at the end of August. Oh, and did you know 6’9″ Jaden McDaniels is also listed as a power forward? He just turned 24 y/o last week.

None of this is a knock on Julius Randle. He is one of the best offensive big men in the NBA. He averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists in 46 games last season. He’s got a deep bag of tricks and he’s able to create his own shot, just about anywhere on the floor.

In fact, he does a lot of the same things that Naz Reid does — some better, some worse. Randle is more polished down low and has proven himself as a more consistent offensive weapon, during the course of his career. But if you didn’t notice above, he’s also four years older than Reid (almost five).

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Timberwolves in Preseason Shellacking of Lakers

At 31% last season, Julius Randle doesn’t have nearly the outside shooting prowess that Naz does, either. The former LSU big man shot an absurd 41.4% on 408 three-point attempts last season, establishing himself right up there with KAT as, not just one of the best outside big men in the league, but one of the best outside shooters, period.

What about Luka Garza and Josh Minott?

Now, I said earlier that this article isn’t about Luka Garza, and it isn’t. At least, it’s not all about him. But our favorite underrated midwestern big man did put up 20 points and 9 rebounds, on 7-of-13 shooting.

Oh, and then there’s Josh Minott, who finished as last night’s leading scorer and completely dominated his time on the court, both offensively and defensively, posting 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks (+18). Clearly, his development is ready for the next step, too.

How many big men is this roster going to play? All six? I can’t imagine Luka Garza would have returned again, if he was told he’d be riding pine for another 82 games. Same thing with Naz Reid, who could have gotten a lot more money elsewhere, last offseason, but decided to come back.

What do they know that we don’t know? Because Julius Randle played 35 minutes per game last season, but Naz is clearly ready for a starting role. Is Randle going to come off the bench? Is Naz? We just dealt Karl-Anthony Towns, in part because of all the young front court talent on roster.

Related: Knicks Finally Made a Trade Offer for KAT that Timberwolves Could Not Refuse

Is it worth slowing the growth of Josh Minott, Luka Garza and Naz Reid for a one-season rental of Julius Randle? Because when Tim Connelly takes an honest look at the Minnesota Timberwolves 2024-25 roster, as currently constructed, he has to be bothered by how much better it could be.

The Wolves need the same thing they did last season. They need a high-end wing who can create from the perimeter, opposite Anthony Edwards… like Kevin Durant, for example.

Trading Julius Randle for a wing makes the Minnesota Timberwolves way better

We saw how the absence of that player hurt the Wolves, throughout their 2023-24 playoff run. Jaden Daniels just isn’t that dude, at least not yet. And the Wolves paid for it over and over again last summer. I know Randle, coaches and executives have talked each other up with media. Finch loves Randle and Randle loves Finch… blah, blah blah.

Maybe it’ll happen, maybe it won’t. But repackaging Julius Randle and trading him for an elite veteran wing (like Kevin Durant) would make this team way better. With Towns’ money off the books, a move like that should be a lot easier to complete, too.

Related: Why Did the Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Karl-Anthony Towns?

Plus, swapping out an elite big for an elite wing would unclog the logjam of talent in Minnesota’s front-court, while simultaneously taking pressure off of those young big men, offensively. They gain experience, but the weight of being a volume scorer on an NBA Finals-caliber team would not be on their young, blossoming shoulders. Not with Ant and another elite wing (like Kevin Durant) on the floor with them.

]]> Sat, 05 Oct 2024 15:06:42 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors Minnesota Timberwolves Luka Garza is Somehow Returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-news/minnesota-timberwolves-news-luka-garza-contract/ Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:30:06 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=52540 The Minnesota Timberwolves have been rather quiet to start free agency, over the past day or two, and for good luxury tax reasons. But on Monday morning, they were able to return one of the fabase’s favorite bench players on a reported two-year league minimum contract, do-it-all offensive big man, Luka Garza.

Garza, from the University of Iowa, is 25 years old and two years removed from being one of the most dominant basketball players in recent Big Ten memory, averaging 24 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as a Junior and Senior.

Minnesota Timberwolves returning a potential undercover stud in Luka Garza

Garza has only gotten better, since turning pro, which is why he can’t really be allowed to play in the G-League anymore. In nine games with the Iowa Wolves two seasons ago, Luka averaged over 30 points and 10 rebounds per contest, between both the regular season and “Showcase Cup”. Last year, Garza played in just three G-League games (all in the Showcase Cup), where he averaged 36.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.

While he seems to pile up huge numbers everywhere else he plays, Garza has been unable to find the floor the NBA floor with the Minnesota Timberwolves. After playing his rookie season in Detroit, where he averaged over 12 minutes per night, in 32 games played, Garza has received just 6.9 minutes per game with the Timberwolves, averaging a measly 5.3 points and 1.8 rebounds (82 total games).

If you stretch the 6.9 minutes per game, that Garza has averaged in his young career as a Timberwolf, out to 36 minutes per night, he would have averaged 29 points and 9 rebounds last season. What does that mean, in reality? Maybe nothing.

But it sure seems like the former Hawkeye’s lack of playing time in Minnesota has a lot more to do with those ahead of him on the depth chart, namely Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, rather than an inability to hoop at the NBA level.

Related: Timberwolves Connected to Veteran Sharpshooter in NBA Free Agency

That’s why many NBA insiders thought Luka would find more money and more playing time outside of Minnesota. Instead, the Minnesota Timberwolves seem to have convinced him that returning yet again will be worth his investment, and I hope they are right.

]]> Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:30:06 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves News Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves Make Luka Garza Eligible for NBA Playoffs with Converted Contract https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-convert-luka-garza-contract/ Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:47:29 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=49479 The Minnesota Timberwolves ran the G-League version of the Toronto Raptors out of Target Center on Wednesday night, nearly topping them by a full 50-piece, 133-85. When you’re on the 2nd night of a back-to-back and you’re mopping up your home court with an opponent, bench players are showered with 2nd-half minutes, which is what we saw last night.

Newly acquired Monte Morris got 23 minutes, Jordan McLaughlin 17 minutes, TJ Warren 14 minutes… so on down the line. One guy who did not reach double-digit minutes, though, is Luka Garza, who signed a new two-way contract with the Timberwolves prior to the 2023-24 season, which allows him to go back and forth from G-League Iowa, but doesn’t allow him to play more than 43 games in the NBA and does NOT qualify him for the playoff roster.

Luka Garza shows out vs Raptors in limited minutes

Unlike some of those ahead of him, who got a lot of run on Wednesday night, Luka got just 9 minutes of playing time, as a reserve. In those nine minutes, Garza went 7-for-10 from the field and scored a team-high 16 points off the bench. Nearly every time this dude takes the court, he looks better than the last time you saw him. He is so damn good offensively… and all he does is work.

I was pleasantly surprised this offseason when Luka Garza failed to find a team willing to offer him an NBA contract, forcing him to settle for another two-way deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Is that selfish? Probably, but Garza hits me right in the feels as one of those under-the-radar dudes that we would absolutely regret leaving town.

Related: Glen Taylor Voiding Timberwolves’ Sale No Surprise to Adam Silver or NBA

He’s a midwest guy who cares more about his basketball career than 99% of the world population cares about anything. When a 7-foot unicorn big man works that hard at his craft and continually shows growth in his game week-over-week, year-over-year, good things happen.

Minnesota Timberwolves convert Garza’s contract to NBA deal

That’s why I was even more elated on Thursday, right along with the rest of Timberwolves nation, when news broke (via Shams – The Athletic) that Minnesota is converting Garza’s two-way contract to a standard NBA deal, something he’s been working his entire NBA career for and a move that makes him eligible for the Wolves’ playoff roster.

This should have happened long ago. Luka Garza does not belong in the G-League and his number show it. In just THREE G-League games this season, Luka is averaging 36.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. He is an unfair cheat code at that level. Garza has appeared in 21 Timberwolves (NBA) games this season, averaging 4.2 points, 1.2 rebounds per game.

]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2024 10:47:33 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves It’s Luka Garza Season https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/luka-garza-season-naz-reid-injury/ Fri, 31 Mar 2023 19:56:59 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=42252 Late last night or early this morning, depending on which time zone you were in, news broke that Minnesota Timberwolves breakout big man, Naz Reid, would miss significant time from a broken wrist he suffered during Wednesday’s loss vs the Suns.

Reid’s injury derails the most pleasant surprise of the Wolves’ 2022-23 season. Naz was averaging 11.8 PPG (22.5 per 36 min) and 4.9 RPG (9.5 per 36 min). Nobody expected him to get any run, with both Gobert and KAT ahead of him on the depth chart. But he made it impossible for Finch to keep him off the floor, even after Towns returned from his 50+ game injury hiatus.

You’d think, given how the Wolves want to tower over teams with multiple big-man lineups, that this would be a huge loss for head coach, Chris Finch. But that may not be the case for Minnesota. In fact, there might not be a team in the league better prepared to absorb the loss of a prolific bench big man like Naz Reid.

Enter Luka Garza

Luka Garza was the most dominant player in the G-League this season, when he played. Maybe that’s why the Timberwolves only let him play 6 games in Iowa this season. Putting him on the floor wasn’t fair for the others on the floor.

In those half-dozen appearances, Garza averaged 32.2 points on 64% shooting (42.9% 3PT), 11.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. In Iowa’s season finale on March 25, Luka put up 41 points (3 for 4 from 3PT) and 10 rebounds.

Because the Minnesota Timberwolves are so stacked in the front court, Luka Garza’s only been active for 26 games this season and averages just 9 minutes per, when available. In those limited minutes, however, the former Iowa Hawkeye is averaging 6.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Similar per 36 minute players

Remember Naz Reid’s per 36-minute averages? Luka’s 27.1 points are nearly five points per 36 minutes more than Reid’s 22.5. His 9.2 rebounds are nearly identical. How Garza affects the Wolves defensively is yet to be seen.

To help supplement Naz’s minutes, the Timberwolves can also turn to Nathan Knight, another big man who would be getting significantly more run on almost any other NBA roster.

Knight is a bulldog who stands out nearly every time he takes the floor. He can also hit from distance when open and gives the Wolves another viable option if any of the other big men get into foul trouble or run into any injury issues.

Per 36 MinutesPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%3PT%
Naz Reid22.59.62.21.21.5.537.346
Luka Garza27.19.22.80.50.3.550.368
Nate Knight17.06.81.61.10.8.564.364
Basketball-Reference.com

Losing a really good contributor, in Naz Reid, is unlikely to “help” the Timberwolves. But fans across the NBA will be shocked by how good Luka Garza is over the last handful of regular season games.

Garza is not playoff eligible… for now.

As of now, Garza is not eligible for the playoffs because he is on a two-way contract. The Wolves would have to sign him to a standard NBA deal before the postseason, if they want him on their playoff roster. I’d imagine they make that happen sooner, rather than later.

The Timberwolves have one of their biggest regular season games in franchise history on Friday night, when the LA Lakers come to town. A loss would make it difficult to escape the play-in tournament and put their postseason hopes in doubt all together. A win will send national media into a tailspin and make them near favorites to make the playoffs outright, without having to play-in.

luka garza naz reid nathan knight minnesota timberwolves injury

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:57:01 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves