C's pick up Queta's option, add $56M extension
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- Boston Celtics picked up Neemias Queta's team option for next season and signed him to a fully guaranteed four-year, $56 million extension, per agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball via ESPN's Shams Charania.
- Queta turned 27 on July 13 and posted a breakout season averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting over 65% from the field in his first full-time starting role.
- Queta started 75 of 76 games and averaged just over 25 minutes per night after the departures of veterans Luke Kornet, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis opened the starting center job.
- Queta finished fourth in NBA Most Improved Player voting and received All-Defense votes, signaling league-wide recognition of his expanded role.
- Queta appeared in just 20 games total for the Sacramento Kings over his first two seasons before signing a three-year deal with Boston that has now converted into guaranteed long-term money.
Why it matters: The Celtics are committing $56 million guaranteed to a 27-year-old center they originally got on the cheap, betting that Queta's 65% shooting, 8.4 rebounds, and All-Defense-caliber rim protection make him the permanent replacement for Horford and Porzingis rather than a stopgap.
