The Boston Celtics locked up center Neemias Queta on Friday with a four-year, $56 million extension. It’s a massive payday for a guy who was on a two-way contract just last season.
Queta’s agent, Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, told ESPN’s Shams Charania the deal is done. The 7-footer averaged career highs of 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 76 games last season. He shot 65.3% from the floor, third-best in the NBA. Not bad for someone who spent years bouncing between the G League and short-term deals.
Charania broke the news on X, writing that Queta has “established himself as a critical Celtics piece.” That’s a long way from where he started. The 26-year-old from Portugal went undrafted in 2021 before the Sacramento Kings signed him. After stints with the Kings and their G League affiliate, he landed in Boston on a two-way contract in 2023.
Last season was his breakout. Queta grabbed a starting spot and held onto it through the playoffs. He gives the Celtics a physical presence in the paint, something every contender needs. His rebounding numbers jumped significantly from previous seasons, and he developed into a reliable rim protector.
Even with the Celtics adding Mitchell Robinson this offseason, Queta is expected to keep the starting job. Robinson, acquired via trade from the Knicks, gives Boston depth at center. But Queta’s chemistry with the starters and his defensive growth made him the priority.
The extension is a win for the Celtics front office. They locked up a homegrown-ish big man for less than what similar players get on the open market. For Queta, it’s the kind of story that makes you root for the guy. From undrafted to two-way contracts to a $56 million guarantee in four years. Basketball can be a brutal business, but sometimes it works out.
More details on the contract structure and incentives are expected in the coming days.
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