The Boston Celtics were prepared to go into the offseason completely aware that they would have to part ways with a few of their players.
Brad Stevens had built a brilliant roster, but the team was expensive from top to bottom and in the second apron, which meant that drastic measures would have to be taken.
They decided to offload players like Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet and Al Horford, who is close to signing with the Golden State Warriors.
While the departures have been painful for the Boston Celtics fans, they still have some quality players, who will be looking to keep the team relevant in the Eastern Conference.
Payton Pritchard recently pointed out how the team would continue to put their best efforts to contend and one of their players is ready to elevate his performances as he is expected to play a key role for them next season.
Neemias Queta scored 5 points in the 13.9 minutes he averaged for the Celtics last season.
He won praise from his teammate Jaylen Brown after his performance in a regular season game against the Denver Nuggets.
Queta started only six times for the 18-time champions last campaign, but that is expected to significantly increase with the likes of Horford and Porzingis now gone.
However, the Portuguese player is ready for his extended role with the team and is backing himself to do a good job.
Queta said: “It’s not really what we were expecting, but I feel like we’re in a position where I’m growing, I’m developing at a steady pace.
“With big responsibilities comes the demand of I need to show out everyday, I need to be more consistent, so I’ve been working on it and I’m getting ready for it.
“So hopefully for me, it’s gonna be a good year for me in general and I think I’ll step up for the occasion and all the other guys as well.
“Like we’re not really the group everybody points out the best, but we’re here to prove otherwise.”
Queta was drafted in 2021 and since then has mostly been a rotation piece in the NBA.
But with big departures in the frontcourt, Queta could start a number of games for the Celtics next season.
Aside from him, they only have Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman, who can occupy the center position, which indicates how shorthanded the Celtics are going into the 2025-26 season.
The team drafted British-born Amari Williams in the second round, who will also be expected to play valuable minutes next season.
They will be looking to add some depth to the center position, but if they do not bring in acquisitions, Queta will be the go-to guy to play there.
