The Boston Celtics are entering the 2025-26 NBA season with a drastically reshaped roster, and all eyes are on fourth-year big man Neemias Queta to step up in a massive way. After a whirlwind offseason that saw key departures and new additions, Celtics guard Derrick White didn’t mince words when discussing the pivotal role Queta is expected to play. “Neemi’s going to have to have a big year — I mean, he’s going to have a big year,” White declared, emphasizing the high expectations for the young center.
Boston’s frontcourt has undergone a seismic shift since the end of the 2024-25 season. The Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis for Georges Niang and draft capital, lost Luke Kornet to free agency, and are unlikely to bring back veteran Al Horford. This leaves Queta and newly acquired Luka Garza as the primary options to anchor the center position. With such significant changes, the pressure is on Queta to deliver as the team’s potential starting big man.
“Neemi, (head coach) Joe (Mazzulla) has been super hard on him for the last couple years, kind of preparing him for something like this,” White said. “We’re going to ask a lot out of him, which is exciting. He’s a guy that works hard, competes at a high level, just continuing to learn what works in the NBA, what doesn’t work, how he can help us.”
Queta’s path to this moment has been one of steady growth. After spending his first two NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings, where he appeared in just 20 games, Queta found a home in Boston ahead of the 2023-24 season. Over the past two years, he’s played in 90 games for the Celtics, showcasing his potential as a rim-protecting, rebounding force.
In the 2023-24 season, Queta averaged 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game across 28 appearances off the bench. The following year, his role expanded, playing 13.9 minutes per game in 62 contests, contributing 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. His standout performances came in six starts during the 2024-25 season, where he averaged nearly 10 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, proving he’s ready for a bigger stage.
White’s confidence in Queta isn’t just blind optimism. The 24-year-old big man has already shown flashes of brilliance, with key moments over the past two seasons that have swung momentum in Boston’s favor. “He’s had so many different moments these last two years where he’s helped us win games or he’s changed the momentum of a game,” White said. “So it’s a big moment for him.”
As the most likely candidate to claim the starting center role, Queta’s work ethic and competitive spirit will be put to the test. With Mazzulla’s rigorous coaching and the support of veterans like White, the young star is poised to embrace the challenge. “We’re super excited for Neemi, and I’m a big fan,” White added, signaling the team’s belief in Queta’s ability to rise to the occasion.
While Queta’s emergence is a bright spot, the Celtics’ retooled roster raises questions about their championship aspirations. The loss of Porzingis, Kornet, and potentially Horford leaves Boston thinner in the frontcourt, making Queta’s development critical. Alongside Garza, Queta will need to provide stability and production for a team looking to remain a contender in the Eastern Conference.