Stevens reveals why Celtics took chances on Garza, Minott in free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics entered the NBA offseason as a team in the second apron of the luxury tax, so they were pretty limited in the ways they could add quality players to their roster.
In fact, the second apron forced them to trade two key starters — Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis — over the last few weeks.
But the C’s did add a few players in free agency, most notably Luka Garza and Josh Minott. Garza has played four seasons in the NBA and was a two-time first-team All-American at Iowa. Minott has three years of pro experience as an athletic 6-foot-8 wing.
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Why did the Celtics target Garza and Minott?
“We’ve been limited in what tools we can use (to add players) with where we are right around the second apron,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Tuesday at a press conference.
“So we were looking for those guys on those contracts that have upside, and who are competitors, who are workers, who want to be good and haven’t hit their peak yet, but we’ve seen something in them that gives them a chance to be very impactful.”
Both Garza and Minott played for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. The Wolves had a lot of depth, so opportunities were not abundant for each player. They’ll have a chance to prove themselves in Boston next season.
“Luka obviously has been a stats darling, but in limited time behind very, very good players. Same thing with Minott,” Stevens said. “Minott is a guy who brings a lot of versatility to the table. He’s a person who can guard several positions, and he can shoot a little bit, but also plays with great energy and length. Both of those guys really rebound.”
It remains to be seen whether Garza and/or Minott will make a meaningful impact off the bench in Boston, but their skill sets and body of work in the NBA so far make them well worth the gamble.
“As we have a team that’s being re-tooled, I think the biggest thing is bringing in guys who can complement our best players and our core, but also have some upside — maybe some unrealized upside thus far,” Stevens explained.
“(Garza and Minott) were in a great situation being coached by a great coach in Chris Finch and a great organization with a ton of talent. And they’re used to winning. I like that, too.”
Watch Stevens’ entire press conference below:
Stevens reveals why Celtics took chances on Garza, Minott in free agency
Luka Garza and Josh Minott should have a chance to prove themselves in Boston.
The Boston Celtics entered the NBA offseason as a team in the second apron of the luxury tax, so they were pretty limited in the ways they could add quality players to their roster.
In fact, the second apron forced them to trade two key starters — Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis — over the last few weeks.
But the C’s did add a few players in free agency, most notably Luka Garza and Josh Minott. Garza has played four seasons in the NBA and was a two-time first-team All-American at Iowa. Minott has three years of pro experience as an athletic 6-foot-8 wing.
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Why did the Celtics target Garza and Minott?
“We’ve been limited in what tools we can use (to add players) with where we are right around the second apron,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Tuesday at a press conference.
“So we were looking for those guys on those contracts that have upside, and who are competitors, who are workers, who want to be good and haven’t hit their peak yet, but we’ve seen something in them that gives them a chance to be very impactful.”
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Both Garza and Minott played for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. The Wolves had a lot of depth, so opportunities were not abundant for each player. They’ll have a chance to prove themselves in Boston next season.
“Luka obviously has been a stats darling, but in limited time behind very, very good players. Same thing with Minott,” Stevens said. “Minott is a guy who brings a lot of versatility to the table. He’s a person who can guard several positions, and he can shoot a little bit, but also plays with great energy and length. Both of those guys really rebound.”
It remains to be seen whether Garza and/or Minott will make a meaningful impact off the bench in Boston, but their skill sets and body of work in the NBA so far make them well worth the gamble.
“As we have a team that’s being re-tooled, I think the biggest thing is bringing in guys who can complement our best players and our core, but also have some upside — maybe some unrealized upside thus far,” Stevens explained.
“(Garza and Minott) were in a great situation being coached by a great coach in Chris Finch and a great organization with a ton of talent. And they’re used to winning. I like that, too.”
Watch Stevens’ entire press conference below:
