Celtics Big Man Predicted to Turn Heads This Year

A key Boston Celtics big man could take a major leap in 2025-26.

During a conversation with longtime Celtics reporter A. Sherrod Blakely of CLNS Media on his “The Big 3 NBA Podcast,” his CLNS Media colleague Noa Dalzell submitted that former fourth-string Boston center Neemias Queta, if given the proper reps, could emerge as a legitimate starting-quality five.

“Everything’s king of aligning for him to be a very surprisingly impactful player next season,” Dalzell said. “I wouldn’t be shocked if he averages…12 [points] and 12 [rebounds] next year and becomes like a really solid NBA caliber center.”

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Queta will be competing for minutes with free agent signings Chris Boucher, a two-time champion with the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors, and former Minnesota Timberwolves part-time rotation player Luka Garza. Bench power forward/center Xavier Tillman could also conceivably earn some center minutes, although at 6-foot-8 he may quickly find himself outmatched.

While playing for his native Portugal in EuroBasket this summer, Queta has expanded his scoring portfolio — an exciting development for a very depleted Boston frontcourt.

The 26-year-old Utah State product is in the second season of a three-year, $7.2 million minimum offer. During the Celtics’ 2023-24 championship season and 2024-25, the 7-footer suffered some rotational squeeze behind three centers.

immediately, with former starting center Kristaps Porzingis immediately plying his trade for the Atlanta Hawks, third-string backup Luke Kornet agreeing to a three-year, $41 million offer with the San Antonio Spurs to back up All-Star five Victor Wembanyama, and sixth man big Al Horford likely to depart for the Golden State Warriors, Queta is immediately free of that logjam.

Will Queta even knock out Boucher or Garza to earn the Celtics’ starting nod? Will Boucher, who’s a bit slimmer and has a decent jumper, be shifted to a starting power forward role? These are the questions that head coach Joe Mazzulla must answer next year.

Across 62 healthy games (six starts) during the Celtics’ 61-21 run last year, Queta averaged 5.0 points on 65 percent shooting from the floor and 75.4 percent shooting from the free throw line,3.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.7 blocks in 13.9 minutes per.

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