How the Celtics Quietly Built a Dominant Frontcourt with Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta
When we talk about the Celtics’ recent rise to the top of the Eastern Conference, the spotlight naturally falls on their stars - Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis. But underneath the highlight plays and All-Star firepower, Boston has quietly built one of the most structurally sound frontcourts in the league. And they’ve done it not just with big names, but by transforming overlooked big men into high-impact contributors.
Over the past two seasons, the Celtics have turned what looked like end-of-the-bench depth into a legitimate strength. Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta - two players who bounced around the league on minimum contracts and G League assignments - have become central to Boston’s interior identity.
It’s not flashy. It’s not loud.
But it’s winning basketball.
Luke Kornet: From Stretch Big to Paint Anchor
Let’s start with Luke Kornet, who’s had one of the more fascinating transformations in recent Celtics memory. Early in his career, Kornet was a classic stretch big - more than half his shots came from beyond the arc in his first four NBA seasons.
But that version of Kornet never stuck. He was a floor spacer who didn’t space quite well enough, and a defender who didn’t protect the rim at a high level.
Then came Boston.
Over the past four seasons with the Celtics, Kornet has completely flipped the script. He’s taken just 21 three-point attempts in that span. Instead, he’s living at the rim - and thriving there.
Compare these two snapshots:
2019-20 (pre-Celtics transformation):
- 33% of shots at the rim (30th percentile among bigs)
- 79% FG at the rim (93rd percentile)
- Fouled on 5.9% of shot attempts (13th percentile)
- Offensive rebound rate: 3.4% (17th percentile)
2024-25 (latest season with Boston):
- 83% of shots at the rim (97th percentile)
- 74% FG at the rim (81st percentile)
- Fouled on 16.1% of shot attempts (81st percentile)
- Offensive rebound rate: 13.6% (91st percentile)
That’s not just improvement - that’s a total reinvention. Kornet has become a vertical threat, a glass cleaner, and an interior presence who punishes defenses for ignoring him. And while he’s not a volume scorer, his efficiency and ability to keep possessions alive have been crucial to Boston’s second-unit success.
But the offensive rebirth is only half the story.
Rim Protection Royalty
Defensively, Kornet has quietly become one of the best rim protectors in the league - yes, even on a team that’s featured Robert Williams and Kristaps Porzingis.
When Kornet is on the floor, the Celtics don’t just defend the rim well - they shut it down. Boston allows fewer rim attempts and fewer free throws with Kornet anchoring the paint than with any other big on the roster. His timing, positioning, and length let him contest without fouling, and his presence changes the geometry of the court.
Last season, Kornet ranked among the top 10 players in the league at lowering opponents’ field goal percentage within six feet of the basket. That’s elite company - we’re talking about names like Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Victor Wembanyama.
And while he’s never been the most athletic or mobile big, Kornet’s understanding of space and angles allows him to thrive in drop coverage. He’s not chasing guards around the perimeter - he’s waiting for them at the rim, and making them think twice about getting there.
For a player who once struggled to find a roster spot, Kornet’s evolution has been remarkable. This past offseason, he signed the first multi-year deal of his career - a well-earned reward for becoming one of the most underrated signings of 2025.
Neemias Queta: Next Man Up, Next Big Leap
As Kornet’s role grew and his impact became undeniable, the Celtics were already working on the next project. Enter Neemias Queta.
A few years ago, Queta was waived by the Sacramento Kings to make room for JaVale McGee. Now?
He’s a starter on one of the best teams in the NBA and an NBA champion. But his story isn’t just about titles or starts - it’s about transformation.
After two seasons buried behind more established bigs, Queta finally got his shot. And like Kornet before him, he made the most of it.
He’s finishing at the rim at a 75% clip - good for the 79th percentile among bigs - and he’s become a force on the offensive glass, pulling down 12.7% of Boston’s missed shots when he’s on the floor (83rd percentile). That’s the kind of second-chance work that keeps possessions alive and wears down defenses.
Passing isn’t yet a major strength for Queta, but it’s improving. He’s taken on more responsibility as a connector in the offense, and he’s clearly learning from the “Kornector” model - stay involved, keep the ball moving, and make the right reads.
But where Queta really shines is as a screener.
Screen Kings of Boston
Queta generates 18.7 points per 48 minutes via screens - the fourth-highest mark in the league among players with at least 400 minutes played. That means when he’s on the floor, Boston’s ball-handlers are getting clean looks, open lanes, and rhythm shots. It’s no coincidence that the Celtics’ offense hums when he’s setting the table.
And who leads the league in that same stat? Luke Kornet.
The Celtics don’t just have good screeners - they have the best screeners. That’s a massive advantage in an era where pick-and-roll play is the engine of most NBA offenses.
Defensive Versatility and Playmaking
Defensively, Queta brings a different flavor than Kornet. He’s not quite as dominant in drop coverage or at the rim, but he’s far more versatile.
He can switch onto guards, pressure the ball, and disrupt passing lanes. His defensive playmaking - combining steals and blocks - is elite.
In fact, only two players in the league post a similar or better combination of steal rate and block rate: Goga Bitadze and Victor Wembanyama. That’s the kind of stat that jumps off the page.
And the on-court impact backs it up: the Celtics are +14.1 per 100 possessions with Queta on the floor - a net rating that would rank second league-wide if sustained over a full season. He’s not just holding his own - he’s tilting games in Boston’s favor.
Building a Frontcourt Identity
What Kornet and Queta bring doesn’t always show up on highlight reels. But in the trenches - on the glass, in the paint, at the screen - they’re winning battles that matter.
They’ve adapted their games to fit a modern NBA that values rim protection, vertical spacing, and possession control. They don’t need touches.
They don’t need plays run for them. They just need to do the dirty work - and they do it at an elite level.
For the Celtics, having two bigs who can anchor the defense, clean the glass, and unlock the offense through screening and passing is a luxury few teams can match. And after letting Kornet walk for financial reasons, Boston may think twice before letting Queta hit the open market. He’ll soon be extension-eligible - and if the Celtics are smart, they won’t let another undervalued gem slip away.
In a league obsessed with stars, the Celtics are proving that sometimes, the biggest impact comes from the guys doing the little things - and doing them better than anyone else.