The Boston Celtics are staring down one of the most precarious seasons in franchise memory. Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury has forced a franchise reset that has seen multiple major stars who contributed to the Celtics’ recent success pack their bags. Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Jrue Holiday and Luke Kornet, are gone, leaving the Celtics’ title-winning roster looking like a shadow of its former self. In their place? Low-risk, low-cost options that nobody expects to help fill in the void left behind by the departures.

However, what if the Celtics already have a semblance of solution on their books? Enter Neemias Queta. With as many as three centers making way for the Celtics this offseason, Queta is not only returning for the new season after a commanding display for Portugal at EuroBasket 2025. He may also be the team’s starting center.

Over 11 days in Latvia, Neemias Queta became a national hero for Portugal. He was dominant against Czechia, producing 23 points and 18 rebounds. Queta was firmly Portugal star at the tournament, averaging 15.5 points and eight rebounds while shooting at over 60% through the tournament. However, despite the heroics, this NBA insider is unwilling to throw a parade.

“I don’t want to overreact to the EuroLeague stuff because it’s not the NBA,” Locked on Celtics host John Karalis said. “It’s not NBA competition. There are guys who can look great in EuroLeague and international competition and not so great in the NBA.”

Queta also went toe-to-toe with Kristaps Porzingis and Latvia in the group stages despite ending up on the losing side. He posted 23 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks in one game, and his overall run initially helped Portugal book their first EuroBasket knockout berth in history. 

Karalis didn’t dismiss Queta’s progress. But he made his stance clear: “Queta played well. So, I am not a hater. I am a person that looks at basketball, NBA basketball.” The logic is sound. It’s one thing to look dominant against Estonia, and another to handle Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, or Victor Wembanyama. Boston has roughly 4,200 center minutes to redistribute. While fans should enjoy the EuroBasket tape, but they shouldn’t let it dictate expectations. 11 days in Europe shouldn’t overwrite 62 NBA games last season, where Queta averaged only five points and 3.8 boards. Or the fact that, so far, he’s never averaged more than 13.9 minutes per game in a season.

EuroBasket offered a momentary lens into Queta’s potential. He played with confidence, finishing through contact, defending at the rim, and even flashing midrange touch. But context again is that the NBA is faster, more skilled, and far less forgiving. That’s the heart of the matter. There is pride in what Queta achieved. But there’s also perspective, and even the most optimistic of fans will not believe the player is suddenly ready to actually help a competing Celtics team as their starting Center.

Joe Mazzulla backs Neemias Queta

What complicates things is that Queta has one undeniable asset most fringe big men never do: the head coach’s backing. Karalis explained, “Joe was out there in Utah a few days ago with—there was an event there with Queta and he was there. He’s supporting him. He’s always got Queta’s back.” Queta himself confirmed that Joe Mazzulla kept in touch throughout the summer with messages of support and feedback. “He is always sending me messages of appreciation, or love, or me getting better,” Queta told EuroHoops. “What he sees in me, what I need to improve on, and that’s a great relationship that we have.”

The Celtics are clearing out the frontcourt, and the job is there for Queta. But Karalis remains skeptical of the tools. “I don’t like the way Queta moves out there,” Karalis said. “I think he looks a little bit like those, you know, the wacky inflatable used car dealer thing, the balloon man thing… He doesn’t have full control of his limbs sometimes…He’s knock-kneed, right? You watch him when he’s moving. His knees touch when he’s moving side to side. That’s not good. That takes away power… That’s why he always had to dip so much to jump and try to dunk. That’s why he doesn’t dunk as much as a seven-footer should dunk.”

Mazzulla’s confidence in Queta is both a blessing and a burden. It’s his shot, but it’s also his to lose. Brad Stevens reset the roster, and Queta is undoubtedly looking at a huge season that is going to see a considerable increase in his minutes. That in itself can go both ways. Either the player shows drastic improvement from previous NBA seasons, or proves Karalis’ point by not proving to be a Center worth starting in the NBA.

As things stand, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are the only guaranteed starters left. Chris Boucher and Luka Garza were brought in on minimum deals. Xavier Tillman remains a rotation piece. The center spot is still not settled. That’s where the favoritism talk intensifies. If Mazzulla is set on Queta despite his clear developmental needs, it raises questions. Is this earned trust or hopeful projection? Karalis answered, “If Queta averages 15 and 12 and three blocks, I’ll be the first person to be like, ‘Hey, great job.’ Because I’m not rooting against the guy.” 

Mazzulla challenged Queta all last year. Derrick White even said it: “Joe has always been super hard on him for the last couple of years to prepare him for something like this.” It shows that Queta’s EuroBasket numbers may simply be a reflection of the confidence Mazzulla has already shown in his potential. And while the NBA is undoubtedly much tougher to recreate those numbers in, the coming time may reveal a lot about whether Queta can take his game to the next level.