![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2193339269-e1736888849497.jpg\")
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto by Billie Weiss\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics <\/p>\n
The Boston Celtics<\/a> are heading into a season full of uncertainty. Key pieces from the title run like Jrue Holiday<\/a>, Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> and Al Horford<\/a> have moved on \u2014 and Jayson Tatum<\/a> continues rehabbing an Achilles injury that will shape the season plan. The priorities are straightforward: settle the rotation, invest in development, and figure out who can help when the window opens wider again.<\/p>\n Against that backdrop, one big man keeps surfacing in the conversation as the likely answer to Boston\u2019s frontcourt questions.<\/p>\n Which Celtic Takes the Jump This Year?<\/p>\n In its Ramp to Camp<\/a> series, NBC Sports Boston<\/a> posed the central question: who absorbs the bulk of the center minutes in a reworked frontcourt? The panel weighed options ranging from Chris Boucher<\/a> to Luka Garza<\/a> and Xavier Tillman<\/a>, with small-ball sprinkled in \u2014 but the majority pointed to Neemias Queta<\/a> as the favorite.<\/p>\n The logic is clear. Boston needs to redistribute roughly 4,200 regular-season minutes previously covered by Horford, Luke Kornet<\/a>, and Porzingis. Queta\u2019s steady growth in Joe Mazzulla<\/a>\u2019s system, improved comfort on the defensive end, plus momentum from a strong EuroBasket showing, makes him a clean fit to seize a larger role.<\/p>\n Neemias Queta at 2025 EuroBasket:<\/p>\n 15.5 PPG on 57.6 FG% to go with 8 RPG and 1.7 BPG in 24 MPG <\/p>\n He led Portugal in points, rebounds and blocks \ud83d\ude24 pic.twitter.com\/xEVFvYzr5K<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \u2014 Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) September 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Why Neemias Queta Fits Right Now<\/p>\n Queta offers the blend Boston wants: physicality at the rim, improved discipline in drop coverage, and better comfort when pulled into space. Last season, Mazzulla challenged him with demanding defensive assignments \u2014 a signal the staff was fast-tracking his development.<\/p>\n This summer\u2019s international reps reinforced that progress. Queta had a historic performance versus Czechia where he racked up 23 points and 18 rebounds<\/a>. And if the jumper he flashed holds up even marginally, spacing around Boston\u2019s creators gets easier.<\/p>\n On one hand, Boucher\u2019s veteran steadiness raises the floor \u2014 but the Celtics organization benefits most if Queta turns flashes into habit with a larger role. As Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston<\/a> put it: \u201cChris Boucher might be the more polished player, but Queta has more upside. Let him work toward realizing it<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n What It Means for the Celtics<\/p>\n The path is clear. If Queta controls the paint, cleans the glass, and keeps the offense moving with solid screens, quick second jumps, and simple short-roll reads, he can claim the lion\u2019s share of those center minutes.<\/p>\n Boucher will play \u2014 and play hard \u2014 and small-ball lineups will have their stretches. Garza will be an offensive weapon. But the job is Queta\u2019s to lose, and the timing is right for Boston to lean into his upside while still competing night to night.<\/p>\n If even one more young piece pops alongside him \u2014 from the wing group to the small-ball options \u2014 the Celtics will have the internal growth needed to weather this stretch and be ready to accelerate once Tatum returns.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tKeith Watkins<\/a> Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Celtics\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t