(08-23-2022 03:10 PM)WMInTheBurg Wrote:  Minnesota just signed Luka Garza. IIRC, he was an All-American junior when Nate was a senior. Terms haven't been released, but it's expected that Garza is on a training camp contract with an option to compete for a roster spot. Garza was a 2nd round pick for Detroit, and Detroit declined to pick up his option after his rookie season.

It's interesting to me that Garza beat Nate out for the Kareem Abdul Jabbar award in 2019-2020, but now is hoping to get one of the last roster spots on a team that already signed Nate. FWIW, Garza played some G League for the Pistons last year and dominated similarly to how Nate did, although I don't know if he's as mobile.

Garza played 32 games for the Pistons last year. similar player in productivity and efficiency to Knight. Garza is not as mobile as anyone. Garza is likely headed to Minn G league team in Iowa as a 2 way callup for Monroe's minutes.

That Award is not that great oddly:
The finalists 2019: Winner Ethan Happ
Jesse Govan max at G League
Bruno Fernando deep bench role NBA
Charles Massey injured
Nathan Knight deep bench role NBA
Ethan Happ Europe

2020: Winner Garza
Vernon Carey drafted NBA deep bench
Nathan Knight deep bench NBA
Luke Garza deep bench NBA
Filip Petrusev Europe
Udoka Azubuike deep NBA bench