Kristaps Porzingis will be getting a fresh start with the Atlanta Hawks next season, leaving the Celtics with quite a bit of uncertainty in the middle. Porzingis is one of three former Celtics bigs that will be in a new home next offseason after an offseason roster makeover due to luxury tax issues. Al Horford is expected to join the Warriors ahead of next season via free agency while Luke Kornet has already signed a new deal with the Spurs.
On Monday, Porzingis battled one of the few remaining Boston bigs after the overhaul in Neemias Queta during a Latvia-Portugal EuroBasket tournament matchup. Latvia beat Portugal 78-62 in the group play showdown with Porzingis (21 points) leading the way against Queta (16 points, 7 rebounds). After the win, Porzingis was asked about the state of the Celtics frontcourt and whether Queta is ready to take on a starting role after his departure via trade.
“Starter? Good question,” Porzingis told reporters via Basketnews. “Who else is there? I don’t know, I haven’t thought about their roster, honestly. But what I will say is Neemi has been getting better each year. And Coach Mazzulla has been pretty tough on him. And I believe he’s getting to a point where he deserves some real minutes, some real rotation minutes.”
Queta had his moments in spot duty for Boston’s frontcourt during the past two years whenever Porzingis or Horford were sidelined with injuries. Boston also added some depth via free agency (Luka Garza, Chris Boucher) and via the draft (Amari Williams) but Queta has the most experience within that group under Joe Mazzulla. Porzingis sounds eager to see Queta take a next step after a strong performance for Portugal in EuroBasket so far, leading his country to their first win in the tournament since 2007.
“He’s been putting in the work,” Porzingis said. “And you can see how he’s playing now in the tournament. And I’m happy for Nimi. He’s a great, great dude. Really, like, really cool person. And puts in the time, puts in the work. And I’ll be happy to see him getting a lot more minutes this year.”
Porzingis is expected to log heavy minutes at center for the Hawks after the Celtics dealt the big man to an East rival in a three-team trade back in July.
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