Luka Garza is ready to make the most of Celtics opportunity
Former starting Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis was traded away this summer, and backup center Luke Kornet left in free agency. Moreover, veteran center Al Horford is expected to depart Boston as well and potentially join the Golden State Warriors. That leaves a significant gap for Garza, who was drafted late in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.
On Thursday morning — just minutes away from the Celtics' practice facility — Garza spent time at the Jr. Celtics Academy summer camp and talked to kids about how to be great on and off the court. He then greeted the media, emphasizing how he's been working towards an opportunity like the one he has in front of him this season since he was the same age as the aforementioned campers.
"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," he said. "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. I've always kind of been in different positions in my career. So this, for me, it feels like...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."
Although Celtics center Neemias Queta could earn the starting nod during the 2025-26 season, Garza would likely be the first big man off the bench.
But, no matter what the initial rotation looks like, Garza will finally have the chance to show what he can do at the highest level of hoops.
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