The Boston Celtics made a huge gamble in the offseason when they gave big man Neemias Queta the keys to be the team’s starting center. Last year, Neemias Queta was the fourth-string center behind Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. But with their offseason departures, the Celtics decided to give Neemias Queta the starting nod at center.
Before the start of the season, Queta wasn’t viewed as a starting-caliber center due to his lack of experience and inability to stretch the floor with his shooting. However, Neemias Queta has quickly quieted any concerns that Celtics fans had. Through 23 games, Queta is having his best season with the Celtics, averaging 10.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game.
His breakout as a quality starter has been vital to the Celtics’ recent success, as they’ve won 10 of their last 13 games. During this stretch, Queta has arguably been one of the team's most important players this season and has made a strong case to be the team’s long-term option at center.
Neemias Queta Has Become a Celtics Mainstay
Although he averages less than 25 minutes a game, Queta provides the Celtics with a significant boost on both ends. So far, Queta has posted the highest plus/minus for the Celtics this season, recording a plus-152. While he’s made a huge impact on both sides, he’s been excellent as a rebounder.
The Celtics had struggled earlier in the season on the glass, as teams dominated them on the boards. However, Queta has helped address the Celtics' rebounding issues, ranking 24th in defensive rebounding percentage (22.7%) and fifth in offensive rebounding percentage (14.6%).
Although the Celtics still rank in the bottom half in rebounds, Queta’s contributions have kept them afloat. His skill set, combined with his performance, draws similarities to former Celtic Robert Williams III. Although Queta is not nearly as athletic as Williams, he's being utilzied similarily to Williams
Just like Williams, Queta has been efficient on the offensive end, shooting 65.2% from the field, with a majority of his points coming inside 10 feet. Queta has been primarily used as a screener and has steadily improved at it, ranking eighth in screen assists (4) and seventh in screen assist points (4.8). He’s formed a terrific connection with Payton Pritchard in the pick-and-roll, as the pair’s chemistry has improved tremendously on alley-oops.
On defense, Queta has been the anchor of the unit. Although Queta may not be like Williams on defense, he’s proven to be a solid rim-protector, and his size has made him a threat to opposing offenses.
While Queta may not be able to stretch the floor like Horford or Porzingis or block as many shots as Williams, he’s been a solid overall starting center for the Celtics this season. With the Celtics’ front office's aggression unclear with this year’s team, they cannot go out and trade for another center.
Queta has proven that he deserves to be the long-term starter at center and has surpassed all expectations. With Queta having another year on his three-year, $7.18 million contract he signed in 2024, it would make no sense for the Celtics to look elsewhere at center. He's proven that he can handle the role he's in.
He’s outperformed that contract and has been a perfect fit for the Celtics for the long haul, making it interesting to see what Queta's next contract will look like.