A Target Center folk hero will continue to don a Timberwolves jersey.

Luka Garza agreed to a two-year, minimum deal with Minnesota, a source confirmed Monday. The University of Iowa alum will make north of $2.1 million next season after previously playing two seasons on two-way deals for Minnesota.

Garza appeared in 25 games for the Timberwolves during the 2023-24 season. He’s an emergency big man on the current roster behind the likes of Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid. But the 25-year-old is beloved in the organization for his professionalism and readiness.

That was on full display in a mid-March game against the Denver Nuggets when a slew of injuries left the Wolves with just Garza and Kyle Anderson as big man options. Garza compiled 11 points and six rebounds that game, all while battling NBA MVP Nikola Jokic defensively in the trenches for 22 minutes of Minnesota’s 3-point defeat.

“Luka, he’s always been ready from Day 1. He practices like he’s gonna play in the game, every day he prepares. He’s another guy, an energy guy, that we need,” Wolves guard Mike Conley said after that Denver game. “Who knows when he’s gonna play, but when he does, you know what you’re gonna get from him. He lifts everybody’s energy up as a group.”

That instills confidence that Garza can be an apt option should the Wolves lose anyone to injury next season, and provides optionality should opportunities to shuffle the roster arise mid-season.

Garza is a natural scorer who continues to make strides athletically, which has only aided in his defensive growth. His energy on the court, as well as his collegiate proximity to the Twin Cities, have made Garza a fan favorite. The home crowd erupts when he enters games and makes an impact.

At least for the foreseeable future, there will be more opportunities to cheer.

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