Kristaps Porzingis Unsure How Celtics Will Deploy Neemias Queta
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Former Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis says Neemias Queta is ready for meaningful minutes in Boston’s frontcourt but admits he does not know whether the Portuguese big man will start this season.
Praise During EuroBasket Clash
Porzingis and Queta met earlier this week in EuroBasket group play, where Porzingis scored 21 points and collected nine rebounds to lead Latvia past Portugal, 78–62. Queta countered with 16 points, seven boards, two steals and a block. After the game, Porzingis highlighted the 26-year-old’s progress, noting head coach Joe Mazzulla “has been pretty tough on him,” and adding that Queta “deserves some real rotation minutes.”
Questions About a Starting Job
When asked if Queta should open the season in Boston’s starting lineup, the 2018 All-Star hesitated. “Starter? Good question,” Porzingis replied. “Who else is there? I don’t know. I haven’t thought about their roster, honestly, too deep.”
Opportunity in a Thinned-Out Frontcourt
The Celtics lost veteran centers Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Porzingis himself during the offseason, creating room for new contributors. Team president Brad Stevens said earlier this summer that Queta is “much better than the fourth-string role” he filled last year and “has a great chance to be impactful” in 2024-25.
Queta appeared in a career-high 62 games last season, averaging 5.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 13.9 minutes while shooting 65% from the floor and 75.4% at the free-throw line. He is expected to compete with newcomers Chris Boucher and Luka Garza, returning reserve Xavier Tillman and rookie Amari Williams for minutes.
Porzingis Begins New Chapter in Atlanta
After injuries and illness limited him to 65 regular-season games across two years in Boston, Porzingis joins a young Atlanta Hawks squad hoping to climb the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks host the Celtics on Jan. 17, and Porzingis is scheduled to make his first return to TD Garden on Jan. 28.
Source: Basketball Insiders
