After a frenzy at the beginning of the month, NBA free agency has since cooled down. The biggest names have made their decisions, but there are still a few valuable pieces, like Al Horford, who have taken their time to make the right decision.
The Boston Celtics shipped off Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to get below the second-apron, while bringing in Anfernee Simons, although it has been rumored that his tenure in Beantown may come to an end before he puts on the jersey.
Brad Stevens also brought in Georges Niang as part of the Porzingis deal, and also signed a pair of former Timberwolves to cheap, short-term deals. One is Josh Minott, a former second-round pick in 2022. Minott is a 6-foot-8 wing that will join the likes of Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez as young Celtics forwards looking to be etched in the rotation come October.
Luka Garza was the other player signed from Minnesota at the beginning of free agency. On a two-year, $5.5 million deal, Garza could end up being the next serviceable Celtics center on a bargain contract.
Luka Garza Is a Low-Risk, High Reward Signing for Celtics
The 26-year-old Garza has had a rather quiet NBA career ever since being drafted late in the second round by the Pistons in 2021. His name resonates with basketball fans after being the Naismith Player of the Year at Iowa during the 2020-21 collegiate season, where he averaged 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds as a Hawkeye.
Garza signed a two-way contract after being drafted by the Pistons, where he would spend his rookie season. In the offseason, Garza signed with the Timberwolves, where he's played for the last three seasons.
The Washington D.C native suited up in 53 games across three seasons in the Twin Cities, averaging 5.3 points and 1.8 rebounds on nearly 7 minutes per game. In terms of shooting, Garza held 52/32/76 splits with the Wolves, averaging just over one three-point attempt per game.
The big man hasn't had a fair shake given how talented the Wolves bigs (Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid) were around him, meaning that minutes were hard to come by during his tenure in Minnesota. Now that he's a Celtic, there is a real opportunity for him to carve out an important role while battling Neemias Queta, Amari Williams, and Xavier Tillman.
Not only will Garza be able to display more of his game on a retooling Celtics team, but he's also earned the praise of Brad Stevens over the years. There's reason to believe that Garza will elevate his game under Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens, given their track record of developing centers on cheap contracts, as seen recently with Luke Kornet.
Asked Brad Stevens about the center rotation after this offseason, and he said Neemias Queta has a “great chance” to be impactful here.
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) July 8, 2025
Also adds:
“We’ve always liked Luka Garza from afar.” pic.twitter.com/LZuEHRFPef
Brad Stevens knew more than anyone that the Celtics were handcuffed in terms of who they could bring in, given their cap situation, now below the second-apron. He brought in two competitors in Minott and Garza, players who are physical and can do the little things as the team navigates next season without Tatum.
Listed at 6-foot-10, Garza plays above his size and can impact plays at the rim while being known for his rebounding and low-post scoring. Brad Stevens likes his skillset, and Celtics fans should be confident that the staff can help Garza reach his potential in Boston.
With offseason trades and signings still looming, Garza has a real chance to be the Celtics' starting center when the season tips off in October. He and Neemias Queta are the most ready to take on that role out of the Celtics' big men, but only time will tell if the team adds another big in the coming weeks.