Why Celtics’ Biggest Question Revolves Around Neemias Queta

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has stepped into a crucial role this season and fully delivered. As MassLive’s Brian Robb recently wrote of Queta, “his performance as a starter this year has been better than anyone could have expected at this point and certainly bodes well for Boston’s future.”

However, Robb also posed a grander question for Queta and the Celtics, wondering whether or not Queta is good enough to be Boston’s starting center once the team returns to contending for an NBA title.

“The bigger question with Queta going forward is whether he is the crunch-time answer for this team when it’s back towards contending,” Robb wrote.

“Fouling remains a concern at times if he’s playing bigger minutes and his defensive versatility could make him a target in some matchups when he’s switched onto smaller players.”

Robb ultimately speculated that Boston’s front office will be watching Queta closely for the rest of the season as it determines whether a big splash addition at the center addition is necessary.

Surely, frontcourt depth — even if it’s not a starting-level player — remains Boston’s biggest weakness. You have to assume that any deadline deals Celtics president of basketball ops Brad Stevens is interested in would involve bringing in another big man, perhaps by using Anfernee Simons and/or Sam Hauser as trade chips.

Whether or not the Celts add a big-time center in the near future, Queta can be relied upon to provide 20-plus minutes a night effectively, which goes a long way and speaks to his development over the past few years.