Celtics Exercise 2026/27 Options On Queta, Walsh, Banton

Himmelsbach’s report indicates that Williams and Shulga could still return to the Celtics, and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype hears Williams has already agreed to a new contract (Twitter link). Scotto doesn’t specify what type of deal Williams received, but it seems likely to be non-guaranteed after the 24-year-old big man played a modest role as a rookie in ’25/26.

Queta is the most prominent name of the group. The NBA’s first player from Portugal became the Celtics’ starting center last season, averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks in 76 games (25.3 minutes per contest). The former second-round pick will make $2,667,944 in ’26/27, with half of that total being guaranteed until opening night.

Queta, who turns 27 years old next month, will be extension-eligible in July and seems like a strong candidate for a long-term deal.

An athletic forward who played one year of college basketball at Arkansas, Walsh just finished his third season with Boston after being selected 38th overall in the 2023 draft. The 22-year-old was a rotation regular at times in ’25/26, averaging 5.4 PPG and 4.0 RPG on .509/.384/.772 shooting in 68 games, including 25 starts (17.8 MPG).

Walsh’s $2,406,205 salary for next season is non-guaranteed until July 20. He’ll be extension-eligible next month as well.

Banton, a 6’8″ guard from Toronto, spent most of his fifth NBA season in the G League with the Mavericks’ affiliate team, the Texas Legends. The 26-year-old signed a 10-day deal with the Clippers in February, then caught on with Boston shortly thereafter on another 10-day agreement. He signed a two-year deal with the Celtics on the last day of the regular season and his $2,801,346 contract for ’26/27 will remain non-guaranteed after having his option exercised.

Shulga, a Ukrainian guard, spent most of last season on a two-way deal with Boston. He was selected 57th overall in the 2025 draft and made 11 NBA appearances for the Celtics, having spend most of his rookie year in the NBAGL with their affiliate in Maine.