The Boston Celtics have officially signed Luka Garza, a move that marks a significant step in reshaping their frontcourt amid a wave of offseason changes. On Monday, June 30, 2025, the Celtics agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million fully guaranteed contract with the 26-year-old center, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. This signing comes shortly after the team lost Luke Kornet to the San Antonio Spurs in free agency and traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks earlier this month.
Garza, a former standout at the University of Iowa, spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. During the 2024-25 NBA campaign, he appeared in 39 games for Minnesota, averaging 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest while playing an average of 5.6 minutes per game. Despite his limited role, Garza shot an efficient 49.5% from the field, though his three-point shooting lagged at 27.8%. The Timberwolves declined their team option on Garza on June 29, 2025, making him an unrestricted free agent just before Boston swooped in.
While Garza’s professional career has seen ups and downs, his collegiate resume is impressive. In 2021, he earned National College Player of the Year honors while averaging 24.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game at Iowa. He also won the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award twice, recognizing him as the nation's best center. Transitioning to the NBA, Garza initially spent time on two-way contracts and made a name for himself in the G League, where he was named to the All-NBA G League Third Team and NBA G League All-Rookie Team in 2022. He also participated in the NBA G League Next Up Game for two consecutive seasons, winning MVP honors in 2023.
The Celtics’ frontcourt has been notably thin this offseason. After trading Porzingis and losing Kornet, they face the real possibility of veteran Al Horford departing in free agency as well. Horford’s status remains uncertain, with rumors linking him to the Golden State Warriors, though he remained unsigned as of Monday night. The Celtics’ depth chart already includes younger big men like Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman, but Garza’s arrival adds a new offensive option in the paint.
Boston’s management has been interested in Garza for some time. Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic noted that the Celtics had made inquiries about Garza with the Timberwolves in the past before finally securing his services. The deal was negotiated with Garza’s representatives, Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller of Priority Sports, highlighting the team's commitment to adding frontcourt scoring depth.
Garza’s signing reflects Boston’s strategy to rebuild around their remaining core while managing salary cap constraints. The Celtics are currently navigating a tough offseason marked by the loss of key players like Jrue Holiday and Porzingis, alongside the devastating playoff injury to franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum. With the team ducking the second tax apron, every roster move carries significant financial and strategic weight.
While Garza's defensive capabilities have been questioned at the NBA level, his offensive skill set, particularly in the post, offers the Celtics a versatile weapon off the bench. It’s unlikely he will be relied upon as a starter, but his ability to contribute scoring and size could prove valuable as Boston looks to maintain competitiveness in a deep Eastern Conference.
Coach Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics coaching staff will look to integrate Garza into a frontcourt rotation that will look very different come training camp. The departures of Porzingis, Kornet, and potentially Horford leave a vacuum that Garza could fill with increased playing time and responsibility. This opportunity could be a turning point in Garza’s professional career, offering him the chance to prove he can be a reliable contributor at the NBA level.
For Celtics fans, the Garza signing is a cautious but hopeful step forward. The team is clearly in transition, balancing the need to remain competitive while rebuilding depth and managing financial flexibility. Garza’s arrival adds intrigue to Boston’s offseason narrative as the team prepares for a new chapter.
With the free agency period just beginning and the roster still in flux, the Celtics’ frontcourt situation remains a developing story. Garza’s performance in the upcoming season will be closely watched as Boston aims to fill the voids left by significant offseason departures and injuries. The Celtics’ gamble on Garza’s potential offensive upside could pay dividends if he adapts quickly and seizes the opportunity for more meaningful minutes.
Ultimately, the signing of Luka Garza underscores the Celtics’ commitment to navigating a challenging offseason with strategic moves aimed at sustaining their competitiveness. As the team continues to address roster needs, Garza will be a key figure to watch in Boston’s quest to remain a contender in the evolving NBA landscape.
