BOSTON — Regardless of if Neemias Queta is the Celtics’ starting center or not throughout the season, he’s expected to be an important factor on this team. No position saw more turnover for the C’s than at center, where they had their top-3 players all move on in free agency or get traded.
Enter Queta, who was an important depth piece for Boston last season. It’s not guaranteed Queta gets the starting nod, so he discussed how he’s viewing his potential role on a team looking to alter its identity.
“It’s a long year,” Queta said. “All I’ve been working about on myself is just trying to ways how to still be impactful on the court. Whether I start 82 games or I start none of them, I’m just here to help the team win and see what happens from there.”
Queta, 26, played in 62 games (six starts) for the Celtics last season. He’s been a developmental find after the C’s originally signed him to a two-way contract. Since then, Queta’s developed on his way to being a legit big man in the league.
The Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks, while Al Horford (Warriors) and Luke Kornet (Spurs) signed elsewhere in free agency. Boston was spoiled with riches when it came to the big man position, but this new season will pose new challenges. Other than Queta, Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman will likely get center minutes, along with potentially Chris Boucher sliding over to the five at some points.
“I’ve been working hard, as hard as I could, and just excited about the opportunity we got in front of us,” Queta said. “New group, we’re playing fast, playing athletically. So I’m excited for what we’re what the challenges of the year may bring, and it’s going to take a lot of everybody for us to hone into our our positions and be more of a collective team.”
Queta had a tough start to preseason when he struggled against the Raptors on Oct. 10 in his first game. Then he only played seven minutes against the Cavaliers. But Queta looked more like himself with his activity level in a rematch facing the Raptors on Oct. 15. But that’s part of the equation with Queta where he needs to be consistently on a nightly basis — especially over the course of 82 games.
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The Celtics will likely lean on their depth throughout the season. While they’re not as talented as the past few seasons, they can lean on a roster that goes deep. It just remains to be seen how Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla molds his team’s identity as they embark on a new season starting Wednesday against the 76ers.
“I liked the way he approached the offseason,” Mazzulla said. “I liked the way he approached preseason. I like the way he approaches every day. I like the way he approaches the mentality, his mindset and all the things that go into giving himself a chance and the professionalism and he does everything you ask him to do. We believe in him as a player — I think that’s all you can ask for.”
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