This isn't new for him. Luka Garza has excelled whenever he's given an opportunity. From Maret School, Garza's High School in Washington D.C., where he averaged 24.6 points as a senior, to the G-League, where the 6-foot-10 big man holds a career average of 29.9 points per game, defenses must turn their attention to Iowa's all-time leading scorer or they'll regret it.
In the Minnesota Timberwolves' preseason finale, Garza scored 29 points in 32 minutes of play. The 25-year-old big connected on 11-of-17 field goal attempts and cashed in on 3-of-6 three-pointers. Garza led Minnesota in points and rebounds while matched up against the reigning MVP.
Luka Garza posts an efficient 29 PTS on 11-for-17 from the field! 💪#NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/ke0wHZIybT
— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2024
Throughout the preseason, Luka averaged 16.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in only 19.0 minutes per game. The former Iowa standout made 61.7 percent of his field goal attempts and drilled 44.4 percent of his three-pointers. Garza's offensive bag is deep, which allows him to remain extremely efficient. No matter if it's a mid-range fadeaway, a spot-up triple, or an off-hand hook, Garza is comfortable putting the ball in the basket.
Luka Garza has shown he's deserving of a rotation spot
After another strong performance, the coaching staff may not be able to keep Garza off the court for much longer. The fourth-year center has been a part of the franchise for two seasons and counting. Nonetheless, Garza has appeared in 53 games and suited up for only 365 minutes. Despite limited action, Luka has averaged 27.6 points per 36 minutes.
Garza has also played for the Timberwolves' G League affiliate the Iowa Wolves over the past two seasons, but he's proven to be far too good to remain in the G League. Last season, Garza only appeared in three games and averaged more points (36.7) than minutes per game (36.0).
Garza's G League and preseason performances should indicate a full-time spot in the rotation. Especially after trading away Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason, the Wolves are in need of another versatile inside-out scorer. Although Minnesota received Julius Randle as a part of the trade, his game is far different than that of Towns, or any other big on the roster. Garza provides some of the same offensive versatility as Towns did in Minnesota.
The Wolves possess a deep frontcourt. Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid are key cogs in the rotation. However, Garza's fantastic play has forced the coaching staff's hand. It's entirely plausible to trot out all four players regularly. Both Randle and Reid are accustomed to playing power forward, allowing Garza to assume the five whenever Gobert is off the floor.
Sure, defensive concerns exist if Garza lines up next to Reid in the reserve unit. Fortunately for Minnesota, the bench offers a plethora of quality defenders. For starters, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is one of the best perimeter defenders on the team—he's good enough to provide resistance without expecting a help defender. Additionally, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Minott hold up on the defensive end, especially against opposing reserves.
Garza's offensive repertoire increases his versatility
There's no reason for Garza not to see the floor this season. He's proven to be far too valuable of a contributor. Although unorthodox, Garza's niche is similar to that of Reid's. Both players represent the new wave of an emerging archetype—the jumbo-sized volume scorer. Sixth-men are no longer relegated to the Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams type molds of the NBA's past.
As the NBA's average height increases, so do the players' shooting abilities and guard-like skill sets. A pairing of Naz and Luka on the reserve unit offers an unprecedented mix of size and shotmaking ability. Garza has cleared 30 percent from three-point range in every season he's played more than 25 games dating back to his junior season in college. Plus, Reid launches enough triples to allow Garza to operate in the post—perhaps his most efficient zone for scoring.
While the rotation may have already been assumed to be set, Garza's play is impossible to overlook. If Minnesota begins the season on a cold streak offensively, watch for the former Hawkeye's playing time to increase. The Wolves' defense should remain staunch after returning much of the same roster from a season ago. However, there's reason to believe the offense will experience growing pains after parting with one of the best offensive big men in the NBA. If this occurs, expect number 55 to hear his name called sooner rather than later.