Two-way player Neemias Queta is making a strong case to become the Celtics‘ full-time backup center, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. The 24-year-old big man, who signed with Boston in September after being waived by Sacramento, had 14 points, 12 rebounds and three assists off the bench in Saturday’s win over the Clippers. With Kristaps Porzingis nursing a sprained left ankle and Luke Kornet sidelined for the past week with an adductor strain, Queta is getting his first shot at consistent NBA minutes.
“This is what I’ve been pretty much waiting on,” he said. “Being ready for these type of moments. I had two years to do that. And whenever it is my turn, just be ready and everything works itself out. With time, the game’s just been slowing down for me and I’m getting more comfortable on the court.”
The Kings selected Queta with the 39th pick in the 2021 draft and signed him to two-way contracts the past two seasons. Sacramento opted for more experience this summer by adding JaVale McGee, and Queta found his next opportunity with a Celtics team that was in the market for size.
Queta’s two-way contract allows him to be on the active roster for only 50 NBA games, and Washburn notes that Boston is being cautious, using him in just 12 of its first 28 contests. He appears to be a strong candidate to be converted to a standard contract later this season, which would remove the game limit and allow him to be eligible for the playoffs.
There’s more on the Celtics:
- Coach Joe Mazzulla said “We’ll play them all” when Porzingis and Kornet return to action, but the front office could be facing a major decision on Kornet in a couple of weeks, Washburn adds. His $2.4M contract will become fully guaranteed on Jan. 10, which is the league-wide guarantee date, and the Celtics may not want to commit that money if they believe Queta will eventually become the primary backup.
- Boston is enjoying the rewards of outbidding the Clippers for Jrue Holiday when Portland made him available, observes Brian Robb of MassLive. Holiday had one of his best games since joining the Celtics in Saturday’s victory at L.A., posting 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while shooting 8-of-12 from the field.
- Drew Peterson got help from his mother when he signed a two-way contract with the Celtics last week, per Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Peterson was in Chicago with the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce when he got the opportunity with Boston, so Stacy Peterson flew to his Sioux Falls apartment and drove many of his possessions to Chicago for the trip. She also flew some of her son’s clothing to Orlando and watched him play in the G League Winter Showcase. “So she had a busy few days, too,” Peterson said.
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