LAS VEGAS – Before Summer League games tipped off at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday, Neemias Queta spent about an hour working out with Jayson Tatum and several of Boston’s player development coaches.
The two worked on their reads and pick-and-roll progressions, with Queta even guarding Tatum on some possessions as Joe Mazzulla, Sam Cassell, and other Celtics coaches watched from the sidelines.
Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta just went through a workout on the game court at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Joe Mazzulla, Sam Cassell, and others were watching on from the sideline. pic.twitter.com/8hv9LYfp6e
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) July 10, 2026
The scene served as a reminder of just how much had changed for Queta.
Two years ago, he was playing Summer League games on that very court, trying to find his way in the league. Now, he was back inside the Thomas & Mack Center working out alongside Tatum, fresh off a breakout season in which he became Boston’s starting center and earned a four-year, $56 million contract extension.
“It’s been a long time that I’ve been wishing for something like that to happen, and to come down in this moment is really special, and I couldn’t be happier to be in Boston for much more time,” Queta said of the extension. “It’s my home, so I’m excited for the future.”
The soon-to-be 27-year-old has come a long way in his NBA journey.
A second-round pick (39th overall) in 2021, Queta appeared in just 20 games over two seasons with the Sacramento Kings before being waived in favor of JaVale McGee. The Celtics signed him to a two-way contract ahead of the 2023-24 season, then gave him a three-year, $7.1 million extension after their championship run.
Queta spent his first two seasons in Boston behind Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet. But after all three departed last offseason, he stepped into the starting role and made the most of the opportunity.
His +13.2 net rating led the Eastern Conference among players to appear in at least 60 games, trailing only Victor Wembanyama (17.0), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (16.3) and Chet Holmgren (16.1) league-wide.
He averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game, nearly doubling his previous career highs while surpassing his combined totals in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks from his first four NBA seasons.
The Portuguese big man was also one of just 12 players to record at least 100 blocks and became only the fifth Celtic in the last 20 years to reach that mark, joining Kendrick Perkins, Al Jefferson, Kristaps Porzingis and Robert Williams. He also posted 17 double-doubles after entering the season with just two in his career.
“I think it’s more about having the trust in yourself, and belief, and work ethic that, eventually, everything will work itself out,” expressed Queta. “But I think once I figured out I’d be starting and being able to play meaningful minutes night in and night out, I think it was pretty determined that it would come, with the amount of work and the help that my teammates put in. So, I felt like it would eventually come.”
Last season gave Queta the opportunity he had spent years waiting for.
Now, he’s earned his place as the Celtics look to build another championship contender.
Whether that comes as the starting center or a key contributor off the bench remains to be seen after Boston signed Mitchell Robinson to a three-year, $47 million contract in free agency.
A case could be made for either to start, but given Robinson’s struggles at the free-throw line (a career 50.8% shooter who shot a career-low 40.8% last season) and teams’ willingness to intentionally foul him once they’re in the bonus, it could make sense to start Robinson. After all, opponents can’t deploy the “Hack-a-Mitch” strategy before they reach the bonus.
“Joe’s the boss. He figures that out,” Queta said. “I put the ball in the basket, and I try to not [let] the [other team score].”
If Queta returns to the bench, it won’t be unfamiliar territory. He had his best game of the postseason in Game 7 against Philadelphia, scoring 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting while grabbing 12 rebounds for his first career playoff double-double, a game in which he came off the bench.
Regardless of where he lands in the rotation, Queta has cemented himself as a key part of Boston’s frontcourt for years to come. Alongside Robinson, he’ll give the Celtics plenty of stability at center.
“I love good bigs to play with. I love the competition that we may have, but at the end of the day, it’s just basketball,” Queta said. “I know for sure we’re striving for greatness and getting the team the wins that we want. That’s what matters at the end of the day, and we don’t want to worry- well, I don’t want to focus on anything else.”
