Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear has completely derailed Boston’s championship hopes for 2024. The team’s roster has been gutted this offseason, losing Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford.
The Celtics’ frontcourt is now paper-thin. They’re scrambling to figure out who’ll start at center when the 2025-26 season tips off. Will it be Chris Boucher? Neemias Queta? Maybe Luka Garza?
Derrick White might have just dropped a hint about the team’s plans. On a recent episode of his podcast, White had some pretty high praise for Queta, revealing that coach Joe Mazzulla has been quietly preparing him for a bigger role.
Center Position Up for Grabs
The Celtics’ frontcourt makeover wasn’t exactly planned. Porzingis got shipped to Atlanta, Kornet signed with the Spurs, and Horford still hasn’t found a new home this offseason.
To fill these massive holes, Boston brought in Chris Boucher, Neemias Queta, and Luka Garza. None are household names, but they’ll need to step up in a big way.
Boucher has the most starting experience with 23 career starts over eight seasons.
But White seems to think Queta might be the guy to watch.
On his “White Noise” podcast, Derrick suggested that Queta could play a much bigger role for Boston next season. The 26-year-old center was originally a Kings second-rounder back in 2021 after playing college ball at Utah State.
After two seasons in Sacramento, he signed a two-way contract with the Celtics.
Queta has appeared in 90 games over the past two seasons, starting just six times. He’s been buried on the bench behind more experienced players – until now.
White revealed something interesting on his podcast: Coach Mazzulla has apparently been preparing Queta for this exact scenario.
The competition for the starting center spot isn’t a lock, though.
Boucher brings something different to the table. The former Raptor signed a one-year deal with Boston this offseason and offers something Queta doesn’t – floor spacing. He can stretch the defense with his outside shooting.
Queta, meanwhile, is your old-school center who does his work exclusively in the paint.
Then there’s Garza, who’s still in the mix as well.
With the season still months away, Mazzulla has plenty of time to evaluate his options. But White’s comments suggest Queta might have the inside track on the job.
