With the 52nd pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons took Iowa forward/center Luka Garza. Cade Cunningham was the pick of the draft, and Michigan hero Isaiah Livers will certainly be welcomed with fanfare, but Garza could be one of the most valuable picks in the entire draft.
After the shocking news that starting center Mason Plumlee was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets for nothing, the Pistons are in need of a center. I for one am very excited for Isaiah Stewart to take over in the paint as a full-time starter, but Garza will be an adequate back up until he’s ready to make a leap.
Garza is not the perfect player, he certainly has some weaknesses. He is not a superb athlete and can get torched by faster players, especially off the dribble. He is not fast and often appears to be bumbling when he puts the ball on the floor.
Detroit Pistons NBA Draft: Luka Garza provides some versatility to the bench
But he was not the Naismith Men’s Player of the Year for no reason. He is an elite scorer and can find points down low, in the post, off the dribble, or from deep. He is a great rebounder and good shot blocker and considering his poor ball-handling he is a decent passer.
Over four years at Iowa, he developed into a confident three-point shooter who hit nearly 45 percent of his shots from deep his senior season, which is something the Detroit Pistons desperately need. He is also incredibly efficient at finishing on the inside.
Over his last two seasons with the Hawkeyes, he easily averaged over 20 points. In the NBA, his speed and lack of athleticism will prevent him from getting the opportunity to take enough shots to reach 24 points, but coming off the bench as the anchor of a high tempo offense and a guy who can provide some much-needed floor spacing.
Garza was projected to be a second-round pick, right in the Detroit Pistons range at 52, but I had a hunch he’d go in the first round. I am so glad I was wrong. Detroit added an impact player who can immediately put up points and swat shots away from day one. In the Summer League, he will be an absolute menace.
The Pistons got a consensus A+ pick in Cade Cunningham, but with no one picking before them, that was to be expected. Garza could be another pick that gets top marks.
Stewart only stands six foot eight, and while I really like him as an undersized center, it would be great to eventually see Garza and Stewart paired in the starting lineup. There’s no reason to think that they both couldn’t grab 8-12 rebounds a night and score a total of 35 points from all over the court. Split five blocks between the two of them and the Pistons frontcourt could be much improved.
Garza may never be an All-Star, but he doesn’t have to be. He should go down as the steal of the draft, and when you pair him with the first overall pick in Cade, Detroit did really well.