The Celtics appear to have a plan in place for one of their biggest lineup questions heading into next season, and it points toward a familiar face staying in the starting five.
At Summer League in Las Vegas, Neemias Queta was asked about who would open at center for Boston. His answer made it clear he’s leaving that call to Joe Mazzulla.
"Joe's [Mazzulla] the boss," said Queta while in Las Vegas. "He figures that out. I put the ball in the basket, and I try to not [let] the [other team score]."
That said, the early read is that Queta will keep the starting job when the 2026-27 campaign begins. According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, the expectation with free-agent addition Mitchell Robinson is that "the plan is for him to come off the bench for now."
There’s logic behind that approach. Robinson’s free-throw issues have long shaped how opponents try to manage him, and Boston knows that better than most.
Mazzulla has seen the "hack-a-Mitch" tactic up close. If Robinson is on the floor later in a quarter, the Celtics are more likely to be near the bonus and able to send him to the line.
That makes the bench role a cleaner fit, at least at the start.
There’s also precedent for Robinson handling that assignment. After Karl-Anthony Towns arrived in Gotham, Robinson almost exclusively came off the bench. He still did enough in that role to help the Knicks end a 53-year championship drought and earn a three-year, $47.4 million deal from Boston.
The eight-year veteran has shown he can adapt, and Boston can always revisit the setup if needed. But if the goal is to get the most out of both big men right away, starting Queta makes the most sense.
Queta has earned that chance. The 27-year-old just put together a breakout season, going from fourth on the depth chart to one of the top 10 players at his position during the regular season. That surge led to a four-year, $56 million extension and a moment he clearly valued.
"It's been a long time [that] I've been wishing for something like that to happen, and to come down in this moment is really special, and I couldn't be happier to be in Boston for much more time. It's my home, so I'm excited for the future," he said while with the Sin City C's. It was a visit that included a workout at the Thomas & Mack Center with Jayson Tatum.
Last season, Queta started 75 of the 76 regular-season games he played. He did come off the bench in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers, but he answered with his strongest performance of the series. Despite foul trouble earlier in the matchup, he finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, both major contributions in a game where he tied Joel Embiid for the most boards.
That kind of response says plenty about where Queta is mentally. He can handle a reserve role if Boston eventually goes that direction. But after a career year and a new contract, there’s no need to rush him out of the starting lineup before the season even begins.
Robinson has already shown he can thrive off the bench. Queta has earned the right to keep building on his leap.
If the Celtics decide later that a change is needed, they can make it then. For now, the smarter move is to let the season unfold with Queta in the first unit.
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