Detroit Pistons decline team option on former Iowa Hawkeyes star Luka Garza
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A former Hawkeyes great will be looking for a new home in 2022.
According to the Detroit Pistons beat writer for The Athletic James Edwards, Detroit will reportedly not pick up Garza’s team option. Frank Jackson and former All-Big Ten guard Carsen Edwards’ options are also not being picked up.
Sources: The Pistons will not pick up the team options of Frank Jackson, Luka Garza and Carsen Edwards.
Additionally, Detroit's two two-way guys are Braxton Key and Buddy Boeheim, so Jamorko Pickett no longer holds one of those spots.
— James Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) June 28, 2022
A second-round pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Garza played one season in Detroit, appearing in 32 games and starting five. He also spent an extensive amount of time for G League affiliate Motor City Cruise, making the NBA G League All-Rookie Team as well as the NBA G League third team.
Garza struggled to catch on in Detroit, averaging 5.8 points and three rebounds a game in only 12 minutes per contest. He was able to display more of his talent in the G League, averaging 20.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in 30 minutes of average floor time.
Luka Garza OWNS the paint! 👊
The @motorcitycruise rookie dominated with 20.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, which earned him All-Rookie and All-G League Third Team honors. Check out the best plays from his first pro season. pic.twitter.com/ErBZjG8G6X
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 7, 2022
While he wasn’t able to stick with a Detroit squad that just added big man Jalen Duren, the NBA journey is most likely not over for the 2020-2021 Naismith Trophy winner.
There are reports that teams are already in negotiations with Luka and his dad. KCCI sports director Scott Reister said he’s spoken with Garza’s dad who said that negotiations with other NBA teams are already underway.
Can confirm Athletic's report that the #Pistons cut Luka Garza. His dad Frank tells me they're already in negotiations with other #NBA teams & believe it will be resolved shortly. The #Hawkeyes legend averaged about 6 pts 3.1 rpg as a rookie, also made G-League all-rookie team. pic.twitter.com/yKGIxdPome
— Scott Reister (@scottreister) June 29, 2022
Garza’s father retweeted the report on his Twitter, so there has to be some truth to it. Garza could be a valuable back-end member of a roster. Don’t expect to see him on the market for too long.
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