Skip to main content

Luka Garza’s Father Reveals ‘Shocking’ Truth Behind His Son Joining the Celtics Over the Wolves

Posted on July 2, 2025 - 4:10 am by

In a stunning turn of events, Luka Garza, the fan-favorite big man from the Minnesota Timberwolves, has found a new home with the Boston Celtics. The news, which sent ripples through the basketball world, came after the Timberwolves declined to opt into the final year of Garza’s contract, opening the door for him to test the free agency market. While there was hope among Wolves fans that the Iowa native might return, the Celtics swooped in with an offer too good to pass up: a fully guaranteed two-year, $5.5 million deal that promises Garza a real shot at meaningful playing time.

The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski reported that despite the Timberwolves’ decision to let Garza explore his options, there was initially a strong possibility he could stay in Minnesota, depending on market interest. However, Boston’s swift move on the very same day the Wolves opted out revealed the Celtics’ long-standing admiration for the 6-foot-10 center. “The Celtics had long been fans of Garza’s, periodically checking in with the Wolves on his availability over the years,” Krawczynski noted, citing team sources. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision but the culmination of Boston’s persistent interest in a player they’ve coveted for years.

For Garza, the move to Boston marks a significant opportunity. In Minnesota, he was buried on the depth chart behind All-Stars Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle, limiting him to just 39 games last season with an average of 5.6 minutes of mop-up duty. Despite the limited role, Garza won the hearts of Timberwolves fans with his hustle, heart, and undeniable growth within the team’s player development program. His work ethic and positive attitude earned him respect across the organization, making his departure bittersweet.

No one feels this mix of emotions more than Garza’s father, Frank, who took to X to express his joy and sorrow. “So happy to be in Boston,” Frank wrote, his excitement palpable for his son’s new chapter with the reigning NBA champions. Yet, he added, “Sad to leave Wolves,” reflecting on the deep ties Luka built over three years in Minnesota, a stone’s throw from his Midwest roots in Iowa.

Frank’s X feed is a testament to his unwavering support for his son, filled with posts celebrating Luka’s journey and the move to Boston. The Celtics’ offer wasn’t just about money—it was about opportunity. With Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet no longer in Boston, Garza has a clear path to meaningful minutes, a chance to showcase the skills he honed in Minnesota’s system.

Krawczynski emphasized the Timberwolves’ gracious approach to Garza’s departure. “The Wolves could have played hardball with Garza and kept him in Minnesota with an uncertain role,” he wrote. “But they didn’t want to stand in his way any longer.” With Gobert, Reid, and Randle anchoring the frontcourt, Minnesota recognized that Garza’s path to consistent playing time was blocked. The organization, according to team sources, was “thrilled” to see their hard-working teammate secure a lucrative deal and a fresh start in Boston.

For Luka Garza, this move is more than a contract—it’s a chance to prove himself on one of the NBA’s biggest stages. For Timberwolves fans, it’s a farewell to a beloved player who gave his all, even in limited minutes. And for Frank Garza, it’s a moment of pride tinged with nostalgia, as his son trades the Midwest for the bright lights of Boston. As the Celtics prepare to integrate their new big man, the basketball world will be watching to see if Garza can seize this golden opportunity and make his mark in green.