As Tim Bontemps of ESPN writes, the Celtics had a glaring hole in the middle of their starting lineup after trading Kristaps Porzingis and losing Al Horford and Luke Kornet in free agency. However, Neemias Queta has emerged as a solid center in his first season as significant rotation player, averaging 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks through 42 games (24.9 MPG) and helping Boston exceed expectations in 2025/26.
“I think he’s a starter,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN. “He does everything you want in a center.”
Queta, 26, is the first native of Portugal in NBA history, Bontemps notes. The Celtics hold a $2.7MM team option on Queta for ’26/27.
Here’s more from Boston:
- The Celtics’ 28-16 start has put them in a position to be aggressive over the next 12 days ahead of the trade deadline, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on the Pat McAfee Show (Twitter video link). Boston was viewed as a team that might shed payroll this season, and while that may still be the case, the Celtics are also looking for roster upgrades, particularly in the frontcourt. “They’ve been in the marketplace, trying to go get a big-time starting center potentially,” Charania said. “They’re going to be aggressive in moving the needle. They’ve got assets. They’ve got contracts to play with.”
- Two-way big man Amari Williams was a surprising contributor in Friday’s double-overtime win at Brooklyn, writes Brian Robb of MassLive.com. Making his ninth appearance, the 23-year-old rookie finished with three points, an assist and a block in five minutes after Queta and Luka Garza fouled out. “I flew in two hours before from Maine,” Williams told reporters in Brooklyn (YouTube link via CLNS Media). “I did the shootaround this morning, thought I was going to play (in the G League with the Maine Celtics) tonight. Neemi wasn’t feeling great so I flew in today. Just trying to be ready for whatever. You don’t really know until you get here if you are going to suit up or not, so just getting ready for whatever.”
- In a mailbag, Robb answers questions about what the Celtics might do with their $22.5MM traded player exception and which positions the team could target aside from center.