Celtics
“Who else is there? I don’t know, I haven’t thought of their roster, actually.”
Kristaps Porzingis reunited with former Celtics teammate Neemias Queta in the course of the EuroBasket event on Monday, with Porzingis’ Latvia staff defeating Queta and Portugal, 78-62.
Porzingis posted 21 factors within the win, however Queta was sturdy for Portugal with 16 factors and 7 rebounds.
Queta’s play to date throughout EuroBasket ought to be a welcome sight for Celtics followers — contemplating that the 7-foot heart may be primed to take over as Boston’s beginning massive man for the 2025-26 season.
At this stage of the offseason, Queta may be the one viable frontcourt possibility on Boston’s depleted roster.
Boston’s painful offseason has seen the Celtics lose a number of key cogs, headlined by the trades of Porzingis and fellow starter Jrue Holiday to be able to alleviate the Celtics’ salary-cap associated limitations.
Porzingis’ dimension, put up play, rim safety, and 3-point taking pictures will likely be missed on a Celtics roster that’s already anticipated to overlook Jayson Tatum for many of — if not the complete — season whereas recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
However the Celtics’ depth behind Porzingis has additionally taken a large hit, with veteran Al Horford reportedly expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors at some point this offseason.
Horford’s rumored exit additional compounds Boston’s frontcourt woes, particularly after one other 7-foot massive man in Luke Kornet put pen to paper on a four-year, $41 million contract with the Spurs in July.
With Porzingis, Horford, and Kornet now not within the equation, all indicators level to Queta — who averaged simply 13.9 minutes per sport final season — as the subsequent man up for Boston on the heart place.
Talking after Latvia’s win, Porzingis provided up a candid take about Queta’s elevated position amid Boston’s roster reshuffle.
“Starter? Good query,” Porzingis said of Queta while speaking to Basketnews. “Who else is there? I don’t know, I haven’t thought of their roster, actually. However what I’ll say is Neemi has been getting higher annually. And Coach Mazzulla has been fairly robust on him. And I imagine he’s getting to a degree the place he deserves some actual minutes, some actual rotation minutes.”
The Celtics have added some backup choices up entrance this offseason through free company and the draft — with Brad Stevens signing both Luka Garza and Chris Boucher to contracts whereas including 6-foot-11 massive man Amari Williams within the second spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Nonetheless, the writing is on the wall that Queta may very well be in line for a large uptick in minutes this fall as Joe Mazzulla tries to discover a new prime possibility up entrance. For Porzingis, a participant like Queta has earned that chance to step right into a higher position transferring ahead.
“He’s been placing within the work,” Porzingis mentioned of Queta. “And you’ll see how he’s taking part in now within the event. And I’m completely happy for Nimi. He’s a fantastic, nice dude. Actually, like, actually cool individual. And places within the time, places within the work. And I’ll be completely happy to see him getting much more minutes this 12 months.”
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