The Boston Celtics have officially inked center Neemias Queta to a standard contract, a step up from his previous two-way deal upon joining the team in the offseason. As per his initial contract status, Queta split his time between the main roster and the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate. While the specifics of Queta’s new contract remain undisclosed, Brian Robb of Mass Live has reported that it’s a multi-year agreement.
During his tenure with Boston, Queta has appeared in 26 games, averaging 4.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per game. However, his performance with the Maine Celtics has been notably stronger. Despite only featuring in eight G League games, Queta showcased impressive stats, averaging 14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. Notably, he delivered a standout performance of 16 points and 19 rebounds in Maine’s Eastern Conference Finals.
Despite limited minutes with Boston, Queta has displayed his potential, notably highlighted by a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers in December. While his playoff prospects seem slim, given the team’s deep rotation, Queta’s increased playing time in the remaining regular-season games could be a developmental opportunity. With a commanding 62-16 record securing the top spot in the NBA, experimenting with Queta’s role could be a strategic move for the Celtics before playoffs.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla expressed admiration for Queta’s physicality and potential, emphasizing his growth on the court. Queta himself acknowledges his readiness for expanded responsibilities, noting his two-year journey to reach this point and his growing comfort on the court. Despite his defensive lapses, Queta’s energy and athleticism position him to evolve into a reliable defender and scorer in the paint, particularly considering his young age of 24.
Furthermore, with backup centers Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman becoming unrestricted free agents this offseason, securing Queta on a multi-year deal provides the Celtics with valuable depth and stability in their frontcourt rotation.
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