Celtics eye frontline moves while Queta anchors the middle
celtics-eye-frontline-moves-while-queta-anchors-the-middle
Boston’s search for stability at center appears to have found an in-house answer in Neemias Queta, whose breakthrough season is easing the void created by the offseason departures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the 26-year-old Portuguese big man is averaging 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across 24.9 minutes in 42 games, helping the Celtics surpass early expectations for the 2025/26 campaign.
“I think he’s a starter,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN. “He does everything you want in a center.” Boston holds a $2.7 million team option on Queta for the 2026/27 season.
Trade deadline approach
With a 28-16 record, the Celtics plan to be proactive before the trade deadline, Shams Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. Charania noted the club is exploring upgrades in the frontcourt and is willing to use its collection of assets and movable contracts in pursuit of a “big-time starting center.”
Unexpected help from Williams
Two-way rookie Amari Williams provided an emergency boost in Friday’s double-overtime victory at Brooklyn. The 23-year-old logged three points, one assist and one block in five minutes after Queta and Luka Garza fouled out. Williams told reporters he flew in from Maine just two hours before tip-off, expecting to play for the G League’s Maine Celtics that night.
Traded player exception in play
In a reader mailbag, Brian Robb of MassLive.com wrote that Boston could deploy its $22.5 million traded player exception to bolster the roster, with positions beyond center also under consideration.
Source: Hoops Rumors
