There will be no shortage of opportunities for Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta in the upcoming season. Queta is the last center standing in Boston, after Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and presumably Al Horford all headed elsewhere this summer.
All signs point to the Portuguese big man being Boston’s starter when opening night rolls around. The now 26-year-old is well aware of the situation and hopes to make the most of it.
“Obviously, I think it's making sure I get in great shape,” he told CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning when asked about his points of emphasis in the upcoming campaign. “Go out there and make elite decisions with the ball in my hands and making sure I get great finishes this year. I also want to like raise up my free throw attempts this year. Just want to be aggressive and make sure I get my percentage up on the free-throw line, too.”
Neemias Queta understands what's in front of him
Improving in these areas is a great goal for Queta to carry with him into what could be a career-defining season. Though he’s primed to be a starter, he still needs to be effective as a low-usage player. His offensive opportunities will likely be limited to catch-and-finish chances right by the basket, while Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard take on most of the burden on that end.
Making a marginal impact could separate Queta from some of the team’s other options at center, in the same way it separated Kornet from him in previous seasons. Though he was given very little responsibility on offense, Kornet seemingly always found himself in the right spot, and that wasn’t by mistake. He plays with an extremely high basketball IQ.
If Queta is able to make quick decisions with and without the ball in the same way, it could be a huge difference-maker for him, as well as the team.
The 26-year-old big man joined the Celtics on a two-way contract in the summer of 2023, after a two-year tenure with the Sacramento Kings. His game, though still a work in progress, has come a long way since he inked that first deal.
For perspective, Queta appeared in 62 games for the Cs last season, which was more than each of his other three seasons combined (48). Earning Joe Mazzulla’s trust is no small feat, and it had a lot to do with Queta’s development since arriving in Boston.
This upcoming campaign marks an opportunity to build on that progress even further, to prove that he is ready to be an everyday player in the NBA. So far, it sounds like his mind is in the right place in that regard -- a welcome sign for Celtics fans.