The Boston big man’s two-way contract is converted to standard deal, making him postseason eligible.

With a week left in the regular season, the Celtics have finally found their 15th man.

Neemias Queta can now participate in the postseason after the team announced

his signing for the remainder of the campaign. It’s a multi-year deal,

according to Brian Robb of MassLive as

well. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype claims that it will be a team option in

2024–2025. Queta was signed to a two-way contract by President of Basketball

Operations Brad Stevens early in the fall of last year after he was cut loose by

Sacramento following an MVP season with their Stockton affiliate. Early in the

regular season, he contributed significant minutes, including a good

outing on a December west coast trip as the

team’s front court recovered from

injuries. The Portuguese native has averaged 11.4 minutes per game, 4.6

points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 26 games.

It is unclear whether Queta has played his final game for Boston’s G-League

affiliate. Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis are both listed as questionable

tonight in Milwaukee. It could be a good opportunity for Queta to get some

valuable run with the big club, but the organization might also give him a

chance to finish off what he started up north.

In Maine, Queta has flourished as a pogo stick of a room protector/runner and been a big part of their Finals run. He’s

averaged 14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1, and 1.9 blocks in eight games,

including 16 and 19 in the Eastern Conference Final win on Sunday. The

Maine Celtics host the Oklahoma City Blue in Game 1 tonight in a best-of-three.

 

Two weeks ago, Queta told CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell and Bobby Manning that he and the team hadn’t discussed a new

deal. “I’m just doing my job,” Queta said. “If it comes down to it and they want to

give me the contract, it’s cool. If they don’t want to

give it to me, I can live with

it. I’m doing what was expected during the year and that’s where we’re at.”

Queta now slots in as the fifth big in the rotation after the acquisition of Xavier Tillman Sr. at the trade deadline, but this

move could signal a long term opportunity for the center. Maine

alumns Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet took similar paths as late season

additions as well that materialized in to established roles down the road.