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Neemias Queta Inks New Deal with Celtics
As the Boston Celtics prepare for the postseason, they've signed Neemias Queta to a new contract. The 24-year-old center from Portugal goes from a two-way to a standard deal, making him eligible for the playoffs.
Queta's put together a dominant playoff run in the G League, generating 18 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to help the Maine Celtics earn their first postseason win in seven years. As an encore, he registered 16 points and snagged a G-League career-high 19 rebounds in their 99-77 Eastern Conference Championship victory vs. the Long Island Nets on Sunday. They now head to the G League Finals for the first time in franchise history.
The former Utah State Aggies star has also impressed in his time with the parent club. Despite logging fewer than 450 career minutes, he's quickly picked up what's asked of him at both ends of the floor and earned increased opportunities to operate as the lone big on the floor for Boston.
Queta is averaging 4.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 11.4 minutes in 26 appearances with the Celtics.
He scored a career-high 14 points and secured a career-high 12 rebounds in the C's 145-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 23. The seven-foot-center has recorded both of his career double-doubles this season, including his 10-point, 10-rebound performance against the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 19.
A day after the trade deadline, the franchise's president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, told Inside The Celtics of the prospect of converting Queta from his two-way contract to fill Boston's 15th roster spot, "I have, we have, to continue to evaluate everything for that last roster spot we have, but he's done a great job."
Signing him now is a wise move. Had the C's waited until the summer, they ran the risk of getting outbid by a team that views him as capable of becoming its primary backup center.
That's a role he could develop into in Boston, carrying out that job on a team-friendly deal. As a team living over the second apron, having to pay more to sign him in the offseason or losing him to another suitor would've stung.
Instead, the Celtics avoided a situation where most of the potential outcomes if they procrastinated on what to do about Queta's contract were negative.
Continuing to work with a rising talent on a valuable deal is a proactive decision both sides can celebrate, as Queta, who's thrived in the Celtics' organization, could capture a G League and NBA title this year. As he ponders that possibility, the former second-round pick of the Sacramento Kings knows he'll have peace of mind this summer regarding where he'll be next season, making it easier to focus on honing his craft.
Further Reading
Seldom-Used Celtics Reserve Showcasing Playoff Value
Jaylen Brown Shares What Latest Milestone Means to Him
Jaylen Brown Shares What's Fueling Career Year: 'Nothing in This World Gonna Break My Spirit'
Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented
Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
