As the Boston Celtics enter their gap year, this opens up opportunities for their lesser-heralded players to prove their worth. HoopsHype’s Michael Shearer recently labeled Sam Hauser as the team’s potential breakout candidate this upcoming season, but The Athletic’s Jay King has another player in mind.
King pointed to Neemias Queta as the top candidate because he’ll be tasked with filling in the void left by Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, who all left the Boston Celtics this summer.
“After backing up Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet last season, Queta might be lined up to jump from fourth-string to starter. He should be the prime beneficiary of all of the Celtics’ frontcourt departures,” King wrote.
“Queta will have pressure to iron out the inconsistencies that have plagued him early in his career. Despite those, he has been productive inside and on the glass throughout four NBA seasons. With a full season of rotation minutes, don’t be surprised if he finishes near the top of the league leaderboard in offensive rebounding,” he added.
Boston Celtics News: Neemias Queta opens up on FIBA EuroBasket run
Neemias Queta competed in this summer’s FIBA EuroBasket, and the Boston Celtics center helped Portugal secure a spot in the Round of 16, where they eventually lost to the finalists, Germany. The 26-year-old slot man left the tournament averaging 15.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per contest on 19.5 efficiency.
“After this offseason – having that time off with the surgery and just being out there without playing basketball – I think I rested enough, and I’ve been working on my game ever since,” Queta told Eurohoops. “Keeping on improving the little aspects I needed to put myself in the best position for next year to be a breakout year for me.”
“I think I have got all the tools to go out there and compete with the best… Being ready for 82 games – it’s a lot of games. Just knowing I’ll be playing most nights is going to be big for me,” he added.
