Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images
Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are heading into a season full of uncertainty. Key pieces from the title run like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford have moved on — and Jayson Tatum continues rehabbing an Achilles injury that will shape the season plan. The priorities are straightforward: settle the rotation, invest in development, and figure out who can help when the window opens wider again.
Against that backdrop, one big man keeps surfacing in the conversation as the likely answer to Boston’s frontcourt questions.
Which Celtic Takes the Jump This Year?
In its Ramp to Camp series, NBC Sports Boston posed the central question: who absorbs the bulk of the center minutes in a reworked frontcourt? The panel weighed options ranging from Chris Boucher to Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman, with small-ball sprinkled in — but the majority pointed to Neemias Queta as the favorite.
The logic is clear. Boston needs to redistribute roughly 4,200 regular-season minutes previously covered by Horford, Luke Kornet, and Porzingis. Queta’s steady growth in Joe Mazzulla’s system, improved comfort on the defensive end, plus momentum from a strong EuroBasket showing, makes him a clean fit to seize a larger role.
Neemias Queta at 2025 EuroBasket:
15.5 PPG on 57.6 FG% to go with 8 RPG and 1.7 BPG in 24 MPG
He led Portugal in points, rebounds and blocks 😤 pic.twitter.com/xEVFvYzr5K
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) September 6, 2025
Why Neemias Queta Fits Right Now
Queta offers the blend Boston wants: physicality at the rim, improved discipline in drop coverage, and better comfort when pulled into space. Last season, Mazzulla challenged him with demanding defensive assignments — a signal the staff was fast-tracking his development.
This summer’s international reps reinforced that progress. Queta had a historic performance versus Czechia where he racked up 23 points and 18 rebounds. And if the jumper he flashed holds up even marginally, spacing around Boston’s creators gets easier.
On one hand, Boucher’s veteran steadiness raises the floor — but the Celtics organization benefits most if Queta turns flashes into habit with a larger role. As Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston put it: “Chris Boucher might be the more polished player, but Queta has more upside. Let him work toward realizing it.”
What It Means for the Celtics
The path is clear. If Queta controls the paint, cleans the glass, and keeps the offense moving with solid screens, quick second jumps, and simple short-roll reads, he can claim the lion’s share of those center minutes.
Boucher will play — and play hard — and small-ball lineups will have their stretches. Garza will be an offensive weapon. But the job is Queta’s to lose, and the timing is right for Boston to lean into his upside while still competing night to night.
If even one more young piece pops alongside him — from the wing group to the small-ball options — the Celtics will have the internal growth needed to weather this stretch and be ready to accelerate once Tatum returns.