Thirteen months ago, Neemias Queta was waived by the Sacramento Kings in favor of 36-year-old JaVale McGee. Brad Stevens and the Celtics didn’t hesitate, quickly signing the former Utah State standout to a two-way deal.
Queta had appeared in just 20 games over two seasons with the Kings, spending most of his time with their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings. He found success in the G League, earning spots on both the All-NBA G League First Team and the G League All-Defensive Team. The 7-footer also finished as the runner-up for G League MVP, averaging 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
In his first season with Boston, Queta—the only Portuguese player in NBA history—split time between the Celtics and their G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics. He played a key role in leading Maine to its first-ever G League Finals, posting averages of 14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. In Boston, he appeared in a career-high 28 regular-season games, posting career bests in points (5.5) and rebounds (4.4) in 11.9 minutes per game. He tied Luke Kornet for the team lead in offensive rebounds, averaging 1.9 per game.
The potential was clear. Queta steadily improved throughout the season and made the most of his opportunities. The Celtics finished 24-4 in games he appeared in, including a 10-1 record when he played at least 14 minutes.
Queta helped the Celtics win games when they were shorthanded, and his hard work paid off first with his two-way contract being converted to a standard deal prior to the playoffs, and then with a three-year contract signed over the summer.
With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined and the Celtics doing their best to manage Al Horford, the Celtics have called on Queta to contribute in a big way early this season, and he has not disappointed.
The 25-year-old has provided solid minutes, and he was rewarded for his efforts by making his first career start in Monday night’s 123-93 win over the Atlanta Hawks. While a few defensive miscues led to him being pulled just 4:41 into the game—and drew an earful from head coach Joe Mazzulla—Queta bounced back, delivering another strong performance.
He finished with 10 points (4-of-7 shooting), seven rebounds (two offensive), a steal, and a block. His +31 plus-minus rating was the second-highest by a Celtic this season, trailing only Derrick White’s +33 against the Wizards.
“He’s just grown a lot as a player, and quite honestly, he doesn’t know how good he can be,” Mazzulla said on Queta after the game. “He’s got a great ceiling, so the standard is very high. I thought he did some great things for us tonight. But when you are as good as he can be, we’ve all gotta hold him to that standard every single night. It’s a credit to him for allowing us to coach him, a credit to the guys for supporting him, but you see what he’s capable of when he’s at his best. He can be a real asset for us. He works really hard. He cares. He wants to be coached, and I’m grateful he allows me to coach him. But he’s starting to realize how good he really can be.”
On the season, Queta has totaled 40 points on 18-of-27 shooting (66.7%) and grabbed 32 rebounds (18 offensive). He has a +49 plus-minus rating in 97 minutes of play, the second-highest mark among Celtics reserves, trailing only Payton Pritchard (+74), who has logged the fourth-most minutes on the team. Queta’s +49 leads the league among all players who have played under 100 minutes this season. In that same group, he ranks sixth in points (40) and second in rebounds (32).
“Him being able to go out there, be versatile – some days not play, some days start, and come out and play the way that he did was awesome,” Jrue Holiday said following Queta’s first start. “That’s a testament to the work that he puts in.”
Queta is a freakish athlete who brings physicality, energy, and solid activity around the rim on both ends of the floor. He excels as a screener, totaling 10 screen assists entering Monday night—the third-highest mark on the team—and he provides the Celtics with unique defensive looks with his size and mobility.
“He just gives us that athleticism and the ability to switch and play different defenses,” said Mazzulla. “He does a great job of taking in a lot of information and being coached. He’s just getting more and more experience. He’s doing a great job reading the game – He’s picking it up fast.”
The Celtics have found and developed their fair share of talent. Just look at Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet—two players who spent time in Maine and worked their way up to become important contributors on an NBA Finals-winning team. Queta appears to be the next Celtics’ development success story, which is even more significant given the salary cap restrictions and limitations facing Boston.
Queta knows there’s still work to be done, but his progression suggests he’s on the right track.
“I feel like there is a lot still that I can learn or be better at eventually,” Queta said. “I’m learning a new system, no ways to guard, and just being impactful in different ways. The more I can develop into those skills and own into them, I feel I can be really impactful.”
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