As the Boston Celtics prepare for the 2026-27 NBA season, Iowa native and former Hawkeyes star Luka Garza finds himself at a career crossroads. The 27-year-old center enters a contract year with a reshaped roster, increased competition for minutes, and questions about his long-term future in Boston.
The Celtics underwent a major transformation this offseason when President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens traded star forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. The move signaled a renewed commitment to maximizing the remaining prime years of sole superstar Jayson Tatum, but it also created a logjam in the frontcourt that directly impacts Garza's playing time.
What changed for Garza in Boston's offseason shakeup?
Garza now faces a crowded center rotation that includes Neemias Queta, newly acquired Mitchell Robinson, and rookie Chris Cenac Jr. The competition for backup minutes behind the starting five is intense, and Garza must prove he belongs in the rotation or risk watching his role shrink significantly.
Robinson brings a defensive presence and rim protection that Garza cannot match, but he also carries a spotty injury history. If Robinson misses time, Garza could find himself as the go-to backup center, a role he filled admirably last season.
Garza's ceiling: 3-point shooting gives him a unique edge
Garza's most valuable asset remains his outside shooting. Last season, he connected on a career-high 43.3 percent from beyond the arc, a remarkable figure for a traditional center. That shooting ability gives him a distinct advantage over Queta and Robinson, both of whom struggle from deep.
If Garza can maintain that efficiency above 40 percent while improving his defensive mobility, he becomes a unique offensive threat. His ability to stretch the floor from the five spot opens up driving lanes for Tatum and creates matchup problems for opposing defenses.
His offensive rebounding and screening have also impressed head coach Joe Mazzulla, who has repeatedly praised Garza's work ethic and hustle.
What is Garza's floor this season?
The downside scenario is equally clear. If Garza's 3-point shot regresses to his career average and his defensive limitations become more pronounced, he could find himself squeezed out of the rotation entirely. The Celtics invested in Cenac Jr. and young center Amari Williams, suggesting they are planning for a future that may not include Garza.
A decline in production would be poorly timed for the former Iowa standout. He becomes an unrestricted free agent following the 2026-27 campaign, and a down season would significantly impact his market value.
Garza knows this situation well. During his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he never averaged more than nine minutes per game over three seasons. A return to that reality would be a bitter pill for a player who proved last year he belongs in the NBA.
Expectations for the former Hawkeyes star
Analysts covering the Celtics largely expect Garza to land closer to his ceiling than his floor. His offseason work ethic and the improvement he showed defensively last season provide reasons for optimism.
His 3-point percentage will likely drop below 40 percent simply because his career average is significantly lower than last year's torrid pace. But even a slight regression still leaves him as the most reliable combination of outside shooting, rebounding, and screen-setting among Boston's traditional frontcourt players.
Mazzulla's public praise of Garza's work ethic and rebounding suggests the coaching staff values what he brings to the locker room and the court. While he may not leapfrog Robinson on the depth chart, Garza is capable of leading Boston's renowned