Luka Garza signs 2-way contract with Minnesota Timberwolves

Former Hawkeye All-America center will spend some of the season with Minnesota, some with the G League’s Iowa Wolves.

Oct. 15, 2022 12:34 am, Updated: Oct. 18, 2022 8:12 am

Luka Garza, at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Media Day in Minneapolis on Sept. 26. (Abbie Parr/Associated Press)

Former Iowa All-America center Luka Garza will sign a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Garza’s Exhibit 10 contract will be converted into a two-way deal. That means he will spend the bulk of the 2022-23 season with the Timberwolves NBA G League Iowa Wolves affiliate in Des Moines and not more than 45 days with Minnesota.

Garza was a second-round draft pick of the Detroit Pistons in 2021. He averaged 5.8 points in 32 games with Detroit, and 20.6 and 9.5 rebounds in 16 games with the Pistons’ Motor City G League team.

Detroit declined to pick up its option for a second season with Garza, making him a free agent. He signed with Minnesota in August.

“He’s the perfect system fit for us,” Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch said recently. “Great acquisition by our front office. He’s a guy I think can really grow into our system here. He can stretch the floor and he can score around the basket. That’s a great combo. Not a lot of bigs can do that.”