Luka Garza uttered the word “opportunity” at least a half dozen times during his seven-minute media scrum Thursday afternoon, each one carrying a clear sense of excitement.
Garza, 26, has only seen 1,018 total minutes (regular and postseason) in his four-year NBA career, averaging just 7.4 per game. He has never averaged more than 13 minutes per game in a season.
However, with the Celtics’ roster ravaged by the NBA’s daunting second-apron restrictions — requiring payroll cuts that led to trades of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, along with key free agents like Luke Kornet and, presumably, Al Horford departing, and Jayson Tatum likely out for most, if not all, of next season — five of Boston’s top-nine minute-getters from the past two seasons, including members of the 2024 championship team, will not be on the floor. That leaves Garza, along with Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman, as Boston’s only centers, giving him the opportunity he’s been longing for.
“I’m motivated every single offseason, just because my mindset is all about trying to maximize the talents that God gave me and become the best basketball player I can become. But especially when you walk into a situation where it seems like there’s a lot of opportunity, that’s something that’s extremely exciting for me,” Garza said. “I’ve always kind of been in different positions in my career. So this, for me, feels like a moment where not only the work I’ve put in this summer, but the work that I’ve been doing my whole life, and especially since I got to the league, has prepared me for what’s to come. So I’m just extremely fortunate and ready to go.”
Garza, who became the first University of Iowa player to win the Wooden Award during his senior season in 2021, averaged 24.1 points on 55.3% shooting from the field and 44.0% from three, along with 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists that year. During his senior season, he led the nation in total points (747), 30-point games (8), field goals made (281), and 20-point games (22), while ranking second nationally in points per game and 11th in double-doubles (13). Last month, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens described him as a “stats darling.”
“Luka, obviously, has been a stats darling, but in limited time behind very, very good players,” Stevens said. “We have a team that is being retooled. I think the biggest thing is bringing in guys that can complement our best players and our core but also have some upside.”
The 6-foot-10 big man has averaged 22.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per 36 minutes in his career. In his limited regular-season minutes, he’s attempted just 156 threes, making 49 (31.4%). But having shot 36.7% from three across four years in college, he considers it a strength of his game—something that bodes well for a Celtics team that set an NBA record for three-point makes and attempts last season.
“I always want to lean into the three-point shooting side of it. I know I can shoot the ball, especially in the big position. I can shoot it with the best. I know that, and I have a lot of confidence in that. And I think with the, you know, the right opportunity and the ability to get out there and let it fly, I’m going to show that,” he said. “I always want to continue to develop, especially in the playmaking aspect, stuff like in the pocket, you know, being able to facilitate, get guys involved. I always felt like I have a knack for scoring the ball, but I think there are more ways you can impact the offense with or without the ball.”
The Washington, D.C., native, a 2021 second-round pick, has spent hours at the Auerbach Center, captivated by the banners and prepared to make his mark in Boston.
“Just a lot of training and preparation, and just getting ready for, obviously, the magnitude of this opportunity, and just extremely fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity to put on that jersey,” he said. “This is obviously one of the most successful franchises in sports. So there’s obviously a different expectation, a different level when you come and put this uniform on. You’re just walking into the facility every single day. You’re in the weight room warming up. You see all the banners. That’s not something I’ve seen. I’ve played for really great organizations, but obviously, they are cut from a different cloth. So I’m extremely honored to etch my name in part of that.”
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