Kristaps Porzingis believes Neemias Queta has earned a larger role in Boston but stopped short of declaring him the Celtics’ starting center.
The former Boston big man, now with the Atlanta Hawks, shared his thoughts after facing Queta during a EuroBasket 2025 group-stage game. “Starter? Good question,” Porzingis said, via the Boston Herald. “Who else is there? I don’t know. I haven’t thought about their roster, honestly, too deep.”
Porzingis made it clear, however, that Queta’s development is undeniable. “Neemi has been getting better each year, and Coach Mazzulla has been pretty tough on him,” he said. “I believe that he’s getting to a point where he deserves some real minutes, some real rotation minutes.”
Boston enters the 2025–26 season without its top three centers from last year, creating an opening in the frontcourt. Queta, who averaged 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 65 percent in 62 games last season, is among the top candidates to fill that void.
The 26-year-old has also made headlines internationally. Queta is averaging 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for Portugal in EuroBasket, including a dominant 23-point, 18-rebound performance in a win over Czechia.
That outing was historic, marking the first time a player recorded at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a EuroBasket debut. His presence has helped Portugal secure its first tournament victory in nearly two decades.
Queta has remained cautious about the speculation surrounding his role in Boston. Speaking last week to Eurohoops, he emphasized that training camp will determine his place. “Right now, nothing is guaranteed—we’re just ready to go. All the guys have been working their tail off this summer,” he said.
For Porzingis, Queta’s progress is a reflection of his work ethic. “He’s been putting in the work, and you can see how he’s playing now in the tournament,” he said. “I’ll be happy to see him getting a lot more minutes this year.”
