It’s commerce deadline season. We’ve already seen two fairly large offers go down. Each of them got here after the Toronto Raptors suffered a loss to the Boston Celtics. Okay, these losses had nothing to do with Masai Ujiri’s decision-making, but it surely certain is enjoyable to level out.
Round this time of 12 months, it’s at all times enjoyable to take a look at the commerce market and envision a brand new participant heading to your workforce. Generally, that participant is a star-level expertise. Different instances, they’re a dependable function participant that provides energy in depth for the second stretch of the season and into the playoffs.
The Celtics have an open roster spot and a $6.2 million traded participant exception (TPE) through the Grant Williams sign-and-trade. Additionally they sit on the high of the Jap Convention, have the most effective file within the NBA, and, most significantly, are a second-tax apron workforce. Dreaming of potential new difference-makers isn’t precisely crucial this 12 months, regardless of how enjoyable it may be.
As an alternative, the Celtics want a physique — somebody who can are available, be a web optimistic member of the locker room, and doubtlessly soak up some minutes throughout growth time on the finish of video games, or be elevated into the rotation attributable to absence or harm. Most veterans able to making an influence on the court docket gained’t be enthusiastic with such a restricted function. Moreover, most gamers prepared to just accept that function most likely aren’t able to making an influence in the event that they’re wanted to — at the least, not in any type of important minutes.
That’s the place Neemias Queta is available in. He’s performed that function. He’s thrived in that function. Working on a two-way contract, Queta has cut up his time between Boston and Maine this season. He’s had stretches of video games the place he’s not a part of the rotation. He’s had stretches the place a few minutes has been all Joe Mazzulla might spare. After which, he’s had stretches of taking part in official minutes throughout the rotation and making an imprint on the sport.
Photograph by China Wong/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Queta has performed in 15 of Boston’s 41 video games this season. His present season excessive for minutes is 22:55 in opposition to the LA Clippers on December 23. He additionally had 20 minutes in opposition to the Golden State Warriors on December 19. Luke Kornet was out for each of these video games.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Queta has performed 3:35 in opposition to the Utah Jazz, 5:17 in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies, and 6:43 in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers. You get my level. He has taken the variance in taking part in time in his stride.
Isn’t that what the Celtics are searching for? Somebody to just accept video games the place they don’t see the court docket, doubtlessly supply future upside, and have the expertise and drive to nonetheless be impactful when referred to as upon?
Queta additionally gives one thing completely different to the Celtics rotation off the bench. In contrast to Kornet, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, he’s extra of a bodily menace across the rim. He has an infinite motor. And his capability to command his area makes him a dependable rebounder. Here’s a breakdown of his ending across the rim courtesy of Basketball Index.
Listed below are his rebounding numbers, too.
I really feel like this goes with out saying, however these numbers are primarily based on a small pattern measurement and ought to be handled as such.
Having an enormous physique that may soak up some emergency minutes through the playoffs can be helpful. Nonetheless, as issues presently stand, Queta is ineligible to take part within the postseason. Let me preface this. I’m not saying he ought to be a part of the playoff rotation. I’m saying that in a pinch, he might fulfill a job and offer you one thing completely different.
I additionally get that there’s a official case to search out one other wing and even one other guard. I can see the worth in each of these arguments, particularly within the case of a backup ball handler. Nonetheless, Oshae Brissett is rising as a possible backup wing, which has negated the urgency to find an improve for that place. I’m neither bought on Dalano Banton as Payton Pritchard’s backup.
Nonetheless, Mazzulla has needed to shuffle the middle rotation probably the most. Queta has grasped his alternatives with each arms. He’s earned the prospect to signal a full-scale NBA contract for the rest of the season.
Photograph by David Dow/NBAE through Getty Photographs
It wasn’t that way back Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet had been incomes their alternatives in Maine whereas on a two-way contract. Each impressed, and each obtained full-time offers halfway by the season. They’re each core elements of the Celtics rotation now. Having a direct pipeline from a two-way contract to a full-time gig as a part of the 15-man rotation will make the Celtics an attractive touchdown spot for future prospects.
Not all people will pop. Nonetheless, the chance to earn your house and show you belong is all anyone actually desires. Queta obtained these possibilities. He took these possibilities. And now, with a hefty tax invoice looming and future restrictions hanging over their heads, Boston can be higher served to fill their remaining spot with a venture large man who’s already accustomed to his teammates and the system he’s being requested to play.
If Stevens nonetheless desires to tweak the roster barely, maybe with a backup for Pritchard, then utilizing the TPE and packaging some gamers collectively wouldn’t be the worst thought. That, nonetheless, shouldn’t come on the expense of solidifying the middle rotation and recognizing the work Queta has put in over the primary few months of the season.
