Queta's Celtics extension fulfills a dream & starts a new chapter: 'It's my home'

Las Vegas -- Neemias Queta entered last season with an opportunity. That was all he ever wanted. Whether in Sacramento, Maine, or Boston, he has worked relentlessly throughout his career. The Celtics share his vision. When the Kings deemed him expendable, a decision they surely regret, a place that has become home quickly invested in his upside.

They challenged him, especially his head coach. Joe Mazzulla is constantly pushing to get the best out of Queta. When you're as driven as the Lisbon, Portugal, native, you embrace that and thrive because of it.

After he evolved from a fourth-string center to performing like a top-10 player at his position this past regular season, Boston rewarded him with a well-earned four-year, $56 million contract extension.

"It's been a long time [that] I've been wishing for something like that to happen, and to come down in this moment is really special, and I couldn't be happier to be in Boston for much more time. It's my home, so I'm excited for the future," said Queta after watching the Summer League Celtics earn an overtime win in their Sin City debut.

When Queta Knew a Celtics Contract Extension Was Possible

The athletic seven-footer didn't reach 2,000 career minutes until this season. It's a reminder that the soon-to-be 27-year-old is young in terms of basketball experience.

After learning while sitting behind veterans like Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet, he got his most meaningful taste of the playoffs this year. And while foul trouble undermined him, the character he showed in Game 7 matters far more going forward.

Queta shook off his struggles on the postseason stage. Coming off the bench after spending the year as Boston's starting center didn't faze him either. In a commendable display of his mental fortitude, he generated 17 points, the third-most on the Celtics that day. He also grabbed 12 rebounds, matching Joel Embiid for the most in the contest.

It was a performance that surely gave Brad Stevens and Co. that much more confidence about furthering their investment in him with this contract extension.

Perhaps the reason that Queta didn't flinch in that do-or-die battle is because of the journey that brought him there. That voyage let him know a lucrative contract extension could be in his future.

"I think it's more about having the trust in yourself, and belief, and work ethic that, eventually, everything will work itself out," expressed Queta. "But I think once I figured out I'd be starting and being able to play meaningful minutes night in and night out, I think it was pretty determined that it would come, with the amount of work and the help that my teammates put in. So, I felt like it would eventually come."

It arrives on the heels of a campaign where he averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks. He produced the fourth-highest net rating in the Association [13.2] among those who appeared in at least 60 games while logging at least 25 minutes, per NBA.com. Queta was fifth in win shares per 48 minutes. He had the third-highest field goal percentage [65.3 percent]. He snagged the eighth-most offensive rebounds [230], was 11th in total rebounds [636], and registered the second-most screen assists [273].

Now, for Queta, it's about celebrating the peace of mind that his contract extension is capable of providing while keeping the fire to be his best self burning bright. That's not a concern. Not for someone who has gone through the basketball expedition he has, and has the character and work ethic that propelled him to these heights. Instead, his success and the chance to build off a career year and the rewards that have come with it only fuel his desire to keep climbing.

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