The Celtics came into this season with a big question mark at the center position. After moving Kristaps Porzingis in a trade and seeing both Al Horford and Luke Kornet walk in free agency, Boston looked thin in the middle. But 42 games in, Neemias Queta is making sure that hole doesn’t feel quite so empty.
Queta, in his first real run as a rotation player, has stepped up in a major way. He’s averaging 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in just under 25 minutes a night - and he’s doing it with the kind of presence that doesn’t always show up in the box score. He’s been active, physical, and reliable, helping to anchor a Celtics defense that’s exceeded expectations through the first half of the season.
“I think he’s a starter,” one Western Conference scout told ESPN. “He does everything you want in a center.”
And that’s not just talk - Queta’s play has backed it up. At 26 years old, he’s found his stride, and his emergence couldn’t have come at a better time for Boston.
He’s also making history while doing it. Queta is the first native of Portugal to ever play in the NBA, and now he’s not just a novelty - he’s a legitimate contributor on a playoff-caliber team. The Celtics have a $2.7 million team option on him for the 2026-27 season, and right now, that’s looking like one of the better bargains in the league.
Boston’s 28-16 start has put them in position to be aggressive as the trade deadline approaches. Just 12 days out, the Celtics are reportedly exploring ways to upgrade - and they’re not just looking around the edges.
According to Shams Charania, Boston is in the market for a big-time starting center. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re out on Queta, but it does suggest they’re looking to solidify their frontcourt depth and possibly add another impact piece.
“They’re going to be aggressive in moving the needle,” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. “They’ve got assets.
They’ve got contracts to play with.” That’s a shift from earlier in the season, when Boston was viewed as a team that might look to trim payroll.
Now? They’re buyers - and they’re not hiding it.
While the Celtics weigh their options, they’re still getting unexpected contributions from up and down the roster. Friday’s double-overtime win in Brooklyn was a perfect example.
With Queta and Luka Garza both fouling out, rookie Amari Williams got the call. And despite flying in just two hours before tipoff from Maine - where he was set to play with the G League’s Maine Celtics - Williams made the most of his five minutes.
He chipped in three points, an assist, and a block in a high-pressure spot.
“I did the shootaround this morning, thought I was going to play [in the G League] tonight,” Williams said after the game. “Neemi wasn’t feeling great so I flew in today. Just trying to be ready for whatever.”
That “next man up” mentality has been a defining trait of this Celtics team. Whether it’s Queta stepping into a starting role or Williams making the most of a surprise appearance, Boston continues to find ways to get contributions from unlikely places.
Looking ahead, the Celtics still have some flexibility - and some decisions to make. They’re sitting on a $22.5 million traded player exception, giving them a powerful tool to bring in talent without needing to send matching salary back. While center remains a focus, Boston could also look at other areas to shore up the roster before the deadline.
For now, though, they’ve got a group that’s competing hard, surprising people, and showing that even with some roster holes, this team has the depth - and the mindset - to keep pushing forward.