The Boston Celtics let Luke Kornet walk in free agency, but Neemias Queta has quietly become the more reliable version for the franchise. The center position was a massive question mark coming into the season after Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Kornet left Boston. Queta put in significant work to play a larger role, and it is already paying dividends.
Queta is not a floor spacing big man like KP or Horford. The seven-footer finishes in the paint, protects the rim, and gobbles up rebounds. He has played a crucial role in the Celtics' strong start, despite losing a ton of talent in the offseason. Queta has surprisingly become better than Kornet in nearly every way.
Kornet is playing well in San Antonio and got paid handsomely by the Spurs. It would be easy for fans to regret his departure. The Celtics need a backup big man in the worst way, but Queta is doing everything Kornet can do and more.
Neemias Queta is already the more reliable version of Luke Kornet
Queta averages 9.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 23.8 minutes per game this season. He is shooting 65.6 percent from the field. The Celtics' big man averages more points and rebounds with a higher field goal percentage than Kornet, despite the former Boston center playing nearly one more minute each night.
Speaking of reliability, Queta has scored at least four points in every game he has played in and has recorded fewer than six rebounds just three times. Last season, Kornet was held scoreless eight times, including three when he played more than 19 minutes. The current Spurs big man had 44 games with fewer than six rebounds. Queta is going to produce every night and has only missed two contests in the first quarter of the season.
Not sold yet? The Celtics are 13.6 points per 100 possessions better with Queta on the floor this season. They were 8.5 better with Kornet in the game last year, and the Spurs are slightly worse in his minutes. Queta is outproducing his former teammate in virtually every way.
Kornet is known for his screen-setting ability. Last season, he produced 1.33 points per possession as a roll man over 73 games for the Celtics. Queta is producing 1.35 through 18 tracked games on NBA Stats this year.
The Celtics are coming on strong. They have won seven of their last nine with Queta’s numbers ramping up over that stretch. Boston went through a roster transformation in the offseason. It took them a few games to find their legs. Ever since, they look like a serious threat in the wide-open East and have helped Neemias Queta reach a new level.
The big man is just entering his prime and outproducing Kornet in virtually every way for the Celtics. The franchise needs more help at the five, but Queta will put up numbers when he is on the floor.
The Boston Celtics should be searching for the stretch big man to complete a dynamic duo. Queta has the Luke Kornet role locked down, and this team could be special if Brad Stevens finds that missing piece.