When the 2024-25 season ended, the Boston Celtics were faced with frontcourt issues. With Al Horford and Luke Kornet departing in free agency and Kristaps Porzingis being traded to the Golden State Warriors, Boston needed to find help in the frontcourt.
Instead of targeting another big man in the market, the Celtics decided to give developing center Neemias Queta a chance. This season, Queta proved he could be the center they can rely on. With one year remaining on his three-year contract, the Celtics should strongly consider extending him.
Queta’s Breakout Season
When the Celtics called on Queta, he delivered in a big way. This season, he averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, all career highs. He also shot 65.3% from the field, the second-best mark of his career.
Queta also had a ton of memorable games that showed his upgrades. On January 7, he recorded a career-high 20 rebounds in a loss to the Denver Nuggets, showing a major leap in his rebounding abilities.
He also showed offensive growth. On March 1, he delivered one of his two 20-point games, scoring a career-high 27 points in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
His Impactful Playing Style
While Queta’s lift in his numbers is impressive, so is the way he produces them. Throughout the season, Queta became one of the NBA’s better screeners. He averaged 3.6 screen assists per game, the eighth-most among qualified players. Along with setting screens, he was highly effective in pick-and-roll situations, averaging 2.8 points per game in those actions.
Queta has also established a defensive identity. Standing 7 feet tall and around 248 pounds, he causes havoc in the paint. This season, he held his opponents to just 40.1% shooting in the paint, underscoring his dominant presence.
The Ceiling Still Hasn’t Been Reached
At only 26 years old, Queta is continuing to improve his defensive discipline while also developing offensively. There have been multiple stretches this season where he showed his capability to score and protect the rim.
Queta’s improvements have been so astounding that Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla discussed Queta’s chances of winning the Most Improved Player award. “I hope he’s up for it. I hope he gets it, he deserves it,” Mazzulla said during an April 10th postgame interview.
The Celtics have a track record of developing players like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser into stronger offensive contributors. If Boston is willing to extend Queta, the situation could pay dividends.
Ultimately, Boston’s decision on Queta will come down to whether they believe his breakout season signals long-term reliability. Given his age, efficiency, and growing defensive presence, the Celtics should clearly continue investing in him.
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