The Boston Celtics will look a lot different in 2025-26. And while all the key roster departures have been understandably branded in a negative light, not enough attention has been paid to the opportunities created for some of Boston’s up-and-coming players.
Beyond guys like Jordan Walsh or Hugo González potentially seeing minutes that would be unavailable if the Celtics were fully loaded, there will be chances for established or fringe rotation guys to take a leap. Payton Pritchard certainly has a chance to up his production. So, too, does 26-year-old center Neemias Queta, especially given the state of Boston’s frontcourt.
Queta has improved constantly since being a member of the Celtics organization. Honing his craft for months and months with the G League Maine Celtics, Queta has outgrown that competition and is poised to hold down the starting center role for Boston in 2025-26.
During a new episode of “The Garden Report” podcast this week, NBC Sports Boston’s Kayla Burton talked about Queta, predicting that the Portuguese big man will be Boston’s most improved player this year.
“Most improved for this season is Neemias Queta,” Burton said.
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“I mean, what he’s been doing in Portugal (this summer), playing for his native country, leading them to the nation’s first (EuroBasket) tournament victory since 2007. … His numbers, by the way, in the final game: 23 points, 11-for-15 shooting, 18 rebounds, four blocks, two steals.”
“When you play overseas and you’re able to build that confidence and see those numbers … (it helps),” Burton continued. “(Queta) … has such an opportunity in front of him.”
Queta will receive some healthy competition in camp from Luka Garza for the starting center role, but it’s his job to lose. If he can stay healthy, Queta might surprise a lot of NBA fans outside of Boston who are unfamiliar with his game.
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Sometimes, players aren’t able to show their true value until given an opportunity like the one facing Queta. His numbers per 36 minutes for Boston in his career — 13.9 points and 10.7 rebounds — suggest that he can be a nightly double-double guy.