As Tim Bontemps of ESPN writes, the Celtics had a glaring hole in the middle of their starting lineup after trading Kristaps Porzingis and losing Al Horford and Luke Kornet in free agency. However, Neemias Queta has emerged as a solid center in his first season as significant rotation player, averaging 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks through 42 games (24.9 MPG) and helping Boston exceed expectations in 2025/26.
“I think he’s a starter,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN. “He does everything you want in a center.”
Queta, 26, is the first native of Portugal in NBA history, Bontemps notes. The Celtics hold a $2.7MM team option on Queta for ’26/27.
Here’s more from Boston:
- The Celtics’ 28-16 start has put them in a position to be aggressive over the next 12 days ahead of the trade deadline, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on the Pat McAfee Show (Twitter video link). Boston was viewed as a team that might shed payroll this season, and while that may still be the case, the Celtics are also looking for roster upgrades, particularly in the frontcourt. “They’ve been in the marketplace, trying to go get a big-time starting center potentially,” Charania said. “They’re going to be aggressive in moving the needle. They’ve got assets. They’ve got contracts to play with.”
- Two-way big man Amari Williams was a surprising contributor in Friday’s double-overtime win at Brooklyn, writes Brian Robb of MassLive.com. Making his ninth appearance, the 23-year-old rookie finished with three points, an assist and a block in five minutes after Queta and Luka Garza fouled out. “I flew in two hours before from Maine,” Williams told reporters in Brooklyn (YouTube link via CLNS Media). “I did the shootaround this morning, thought I was going to play (in the G League with the Maine Celtics) tonight. Neemi wasn’t feeling great so I flew in today. Just trying to be ready for whatever. You don’t really know until you get here if you are going to suit up or not, so just getting ready for whatever.”
- In a mailbag, Robb answers questions about what the Celtics might do with their $22.5MM traded player exception and which positions the team could target aside from center.
Lowkey for the Celtics what about…
Anfernee Simons, Scheierman, 2026 first round pick and the Pelicans 2026 second round pick for Dejounte Murray and Yves Missi
It’s all about getting something back for when Tatum returns. This deal gives you a solid two way guard in Murray who I think would be a really good fit with Brown and Tatum. Plus of course you get Missi who would pair really nicely with Queta as your two centres.
I also think in the offseason I could see them getting Bradley Beal for the vets min. Yes he’s old and washed whatever but he is also really good friends with Tatum and he could be at the stage in his career where he just wants to chase a ring and it would be a great place for that.
Line up something like this…
Pritchard White Brown Tatum Queta
Murray Beal Hauser Minott Missi
Gonzalez Garza
For the pelicans you get out of Murray’s deal for Simons expiring one. You get a first round pick back for Missi plus a second round pick and a young player.
The Pelicans would not make that trade at all. I wish they would, as a C’s fan, but they wouldn’t.
You don’t think so just to get out from Murray’s deal. They don’t have a first round pick this year and are attempting to rebuild around Fears and Queen….
Why take on Murray with his injury history and contract just for Missi?
Cause Murray is also a good player …
I dunno about Beal but that Pelicans trade is interesting. I forgot Murray existed lol. Celtics need to include more salary so swap Schierman out for Hauser. Might need to sweeten the deal a little more but those two would fit well in Boston
Don’t get me wrong, I would love the deal for the C’s. Murray and Missi are exactly the types of players that they should be targeting. Great fits. But I also agree that they’d have to sweeten the pot to get them. Simons is on an expiring deal, Baylor has only shown flashes, and a 1st and 2nd hold value to a rebuilding club, but we are talking about a player they acquired not long ago for Dyson Daniels and 2 1sts plus a good center.
One guy doesn’t shoot threes (Missi) and a guy that doesn’t shoot threes that well (Murray) fit on a team where they shoot 42 threes per game?
If they want Murray I’m sure the Pelicans would love to trade him. They drafted Fears who looks like he’s their PG of the future. They also overpaid for Murray, they aren’t going and shouldn’t expect to get back anywhere near what they sent out after Murray tore his Achilles.
You forgot he existed because he hasn’t played in almost a full year and apparently has no time table to return. Make of that what you will I guess.
The money works cause they have that massive TPE
Beal just got a season ending surgery. Celtics don’t need anymore injury prone players. Simmons is still contributing as a scorer.
Yeah Beal in FA for the vets min, they don’t need him he’d just be an added bonus
Think we may pick up that option on Queta. The officials tried hard to get Brooklyn a win. Going into the second OT with a free throw discrepancy of 22. Just another day that ends in Y for Boston.
Celtics receive: Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Clippers receive: Anfernee Simons and Xavier Tillman.
Clippers clear $30MM from next years payroll. Celtics get a reliable wing shooter and Lopez fills the stretch 5 roll that is missing without Horford(minus the defense).
Could even turn it into a 3 teamer and reunite Beal with the Wizards
Celtics receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic and Brook Lopez
Clippers receive: Anfernee Simons and Cam Whitmore
Wizards receive: Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal? He recently got a season ending hip surgery. Celtics needs young players and Simmons is doing fine as a bench player. Celtics don’t need more injury prone players.
Hauser and Simons are core to this surprising Celtics team. They do a lot of the scoring and three point shooting. Why break up this great chemistry which is a source of strength?
What’s Hauser got to do to compete in the three point shoot out? I’m surprised when he misses, lols.
Simons and Baylor with picks for Julius Randle and Bones Hyland
Is there a center that is an upgrade over Queta that is actually available?
Find out soon enough.
Queta needs to up his rebounding and shot blocking. A Williams is a real PF unlike Tatum
Watching these tight tough games the Celtics are playing, I see we need something more. So much luck Brad Stevens!
But did you see Hauser throw it full court to Amari who shuffled it to Payton who stepped back and hit the three? Wow! One of the most exciting plays ever for me. And it led to Hugo hitting that unbelievable three after Coach waved his arms last second to get Hugo in the game. All leading to that miracle win against the Nets!
Love Coach Joe rewarded by starting rookie Amari in the next game!