Are the options the Boston Celtics have at the center position good enough? It's a potential problem that could plague the franchise throughout the upcoming campaign.
Neemias Queta is the frontrunner to become the team's starter at the five spot. He's currently producing an encouraging showing at EuroBasket. The seven-foot-center has led Portugal into the Knockout Round for the first time in team history. Challenging himself against the likes of Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, and Kristaps Porzingis is the ideal way for him to prepare for his opportunity this season.
His primary backup in Boston figures to be Luka Garza. The four-year veteran has consistently impressed when given opportunities. He earned AP Player of the Year and the Wooden Award while starring for the Iowa Hawkeyes in college.
He averaged 32.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks in six G League games with the Iowa Wolves in 2022-23. The six-foot-10 center also knocked down 42.9 percent of the 4.7 threes he hoisted. Last season, he produced 3.5 points per contest in 5.6 minutes across 39 appearances with the parent club in Minnesota.
Earlier this summer, Brad Stevens, the Celtics' president of basketball operations, told Hardwood Houdini that Garza is a "stats darling, but in limited time behind very, very good players."
The 26-year-old is a gifted offensive player. He has always understood that he needs to make an impact at both ends of the floor to become a rotation staple.
"Every summer, there is a huge dedication to the defensive side of the ball and just maximizing what I can do on that side," Garza told Hardwood Houdini in August while detailing his offseason training. "I know the better I can get there, the better it's going to be for my career."
As he tries to take advantage of his first crack at meaningful NBA minutes, which motivated him to sign with Boston this offseason, how he fares at that end will have a significant role in shaping his basketball future.
The Celtics can also insert Xavier Tillman Sr. or Chris Boucher at center. The former is more comfortable operating as a standalone big. However, the latter could play an essential part in smaller lineups that overcome imbalance and concerns on defense and on the boards with their offensive firepower.
There's also Amari Williams. The No. 46 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft is on a two-way deal. While his skill set is intriguing, his draft slot and contractual status reflect the raw nature of a rookie whose game needs molding. Perhaps he progresses faster than expected and begins spending more time with the parent club at some point this season, though.
Looking at the Celtics' center position beyond 2024-25
It's possible Boston's roster already features a multi-year starter at the pivot. Queta is a quick learner with the size, athleticism, and mobility to grow into that description. Garza could become a more balanced option while elevating his game at the offensive end.
However, an oddsmaker would deem it more likely that an external upgrade becomes available. That could happen closer to February's trade deadline. It will probably take until next summer, though.
Queta or Garza stabilizing the center position for the Celtics would elevate the team's ceiling this season. The franchise has a strong track record in player development [Queta's former teammate Luke Kornet is a shining example] and the infrastructure to help that happen.
But even if at least one of them proves they're the second-unit punch in a potent 1-2 tandem with a starter who isn't on the roster right now, that's a productive outcome. Boston will spend this season experimenting. Along with doing so tactically, the organization will search for long-term contributors.
Queta and Garza are under contract with the Celtics beyond the upcoming campaign. They have a golden opportunity to change their career trajectory and how people currently view their team's depth chart at center. What they do with it will determine what caliber of player Boston is looking to add at that position when Jayson Tatum is ready to help the franchise return to title contention.