Neemias Queta will play for Portugal in EuroBasket this summer, making him the only Boston Celtics player who will be competing in the event. Kristaps Porzingis will be playing for Latvia, but he’s now a member of the Atlanta Hawks after the Celtics traded him earlier this offseason.
Queta should be staring down a much more significant role next year. With Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and likely Al Horford gone, Queta seems like the probable choice to be Boston’s starting five man. That would leave Luka Garza, Xavier Tillman, and rookie Amari Williams as the team’s backup options, barring an unforeseen move.
This summer, Queta will get the chance to show off his progression in a featured role. Queta may very well be the most important Celtic on the roster next season, because if he takes a giant leap forward, they could be much better than anyone expects.
What should Celtics fans look for with Neemias Queta?
Portugal doesn’t have a great roster heading into EuroBasket, and it seems likely that they’ll fall at the hands of some of the continent’s powerhouses (Spain, Germany, France, Serbia, etc.).
That said, with players such as Giannis Antetokoumpo, Nikola Jokic, and Jonas Valanciunas all confirmed to be playing this summer, Queta will have plenty of chances to practice playing against NBA-level competition.
Queta will also get to use EuroBasket as a chance to aid his recovery process, as he underwent knee surgery following this past Celtics season, as per Bobby Manning of CLNS Media.
He told Manning that the recovery process has been going well thus far:
“It’s been good,” Queta told CLNS. “We’ve been dealing with this stuff (since) a couple years ago. We just decided it was a great time for us to do it. We’re trying to get back to 100%. We feel pretty confident in the process and we’re just grateful that we were taken care of, and I want to make sure I’m healthy and get back to 100% and I feel like I’m on the right path to do that.”
Up to this point in his career, Queta’s development has been shaky. At times, he’s looked like a bonafide beast in the paint, swatting shots at will and gobbling up every rebound in sight.
Other times, his focus has drifted, he’s been a step slow on both ends of the court, and his at-the-rim finishing looks rough. It’s that inconsistency that has prevented him from maintaining a consistent spot in Boston’s rotation.
But this year will be different. If for no other reason than for the clear-cut opportunity that lies in front of him. And playing for Portugal at EuroBasket will be fans’ sneak preview at what Queta could bring to the table next year in an elevated role.