Kristaps Porzingis believes Neemias Queta is prepared for a extra outstanding function within the Celtics’ frontcourt. However ought to Queta begin for a Boston staff that misplaced its high three facilities this offseason?
On that, Porzingis sounded much less certain.
“Starter? Good query,” the ex-Celtics large man told reporters Monday after squaring off in opposition to Queta in a group-stage sport at EuroBasket 2025. “Who else is there? I don’t know. I haven’t considered their roster, actually, too deep.”
A transfer into the highest of the depth chart can be a major leap for the 26-year-old Queta, who’s began simply six video games in his NBA profession and was not a part of head coach Joe Mazzulla’s core Celtics rotation final season. However the 7-footer tasks as Boston’s more than likely beginning middle coming into coaching camp after the staff traded Porzingis to Atlanta and misplaced Luke Kornet (signed with San Antonio) and Al Horford (not anticipated to return) in free company.
Earlier this offseason, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens mentioned Queta is “significantly better” than the fourth-string function he performed for many of 2024-25 and has a “nice likelihood to be impactful” this season. Queta’s high competitors at middle will likely be former Minnesota Timberwolves backup Luka Garza and second-round rookie Amari Williams, with versatile veteran newcomer Chris Boucher and returning reserve Xavier Tillman additionally set to battle for frontcourt minutes.
Earlier than the Celtics reconvene for camp later this month, Queta has been headlining Portugal’s EuroBasket squad, on which he’s the one present or former NBA participant. He leads his staff in factors (15.0), rebounds (8.5) and blocks per sport (2.0) throughout matchups in opposition to Czechia, Nikola Jokic’s Serbia, Alperen Sengun’s Turkey and Porzingis’ Latvia.
Queta tallied 16 factors on 7-of-12 taking pictures with seven rebounds and one block in Monday’s 78-62 loss to Latvia. Porzingis, who’s been a full participant for his nationwide aspect after a lingering illness severely restricted him throughout this spring’s Celtics playoff run, completed with 21 factors, 9 rebounds, three assists and one block.
“What I’ll say is Neemi has been getting higher every year, and Coach Mazzulla has been fairly powerful on him,” Porzingis instructed reporters. “I imagine that he’s getting to some extent the place he deserves some actual minutes, some actual rotation minutes. He’s been placing within the work, and you may see how he’s enjoying now within the event. I’m blissful for Neemi. He’s an awesome, nice dude, actually cool particular person, and places within the time, places within the work. I’ll be blissful to see him getting much more minutes this 12 months.”
Queta appeared in a career-high 62 video games for Boston final season, his first as a full-time NBA participant after three years of splitting time with the G League. He logged 13.9 minutes per look, averaging 5.0 factors, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks.
Porzingis, one in all 4 Celtics rotation gamers to depart city this summer season because the staff reduce wage to keep away from second-apron luxurious tax penalties, will be a part of a younger Hawks staff that goals to contend in a wide-open Japanese Convention. Accidents and sickness triggered him to overlook 65 regular-season video games over his two seasons in Boston, however he was an impression participant when wholesome, averaging 19.8 factors, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per sport for the C’s whereas taking pictures 50.2% from the sector and 39.2% from 3-point vary.
The primary assembly between the Celtics and Porzingis’ Hawks is scheduled for Jan. 17 in Atlanta, with Porzingis set to return to TD Garden for the primary time on Jan. 28.
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