The Celtics announced Saturday evening the re-signing of back-up big man Neemias Queta, per a press release.
While terms of the deal were not disclosed -- due to team policy -- Sham Charania of The Athletic, reported last week at the start of free agency that the C's and Queta had reached an agreement on a multi-year contract.
According to HoopsRumors, Queta signed a three-year, minimum salary contract worth roughly $7.2 million. While the first year is fully guaranteed at $2,162,606, the second is only partially guaranteed (50% of $2,349,578) and the third -- which is a team option, is also a partial guarantee (50% of $2,667,944) if picked up. Since the deal is for more than two years, a team can't trade for Queta via the minimum salary exception if the veteran big man were to be dealt in the future.
"We are excited that Neemi chose to come back and sign with the Celtics," said Brad Stevens in a team statement. "He's a mobile big with great size and a high motor. We were all enthusiastic about his impact this past season, but we think his best days are ahead."
In 28 games for the Celtics during the 2023-24 campaign, Queta averaged career-highs of 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per contest while shooting 64.4% from the field. His best game came in the team's regular-season finale at home against the Washington Wizards, when the Portugal native recorded a career-high 19 points, nine rebounds and also a career-best six blocks off the bench -- becoming only the seventh player in franchise history behind Robert Parish (10x), Kevin McHale (9x), Kristaps Porzingis (2x), Dave Cowens, Dino Radja, and Al Horford to register at least 19 points and six blocks in a game.
Queta, who signed a two-way contract prior to the start of last season before getting a standard NBA contract in April, played 11 games with the Maine Celtics and finished with averages of 14.5 points on 65.8% from the field, 8.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest while helping the team make it to their first G League Finals ever.
With the official signing of Queta, the Celtics have all back-up frontcourt players returning from the 2024 championship team including Luke Kornet on a one-year deal, Xavier Tillman on a two-year contract and of course Al Horford (final year of his latest deal), as Kristaps Porzingis is set to reportedly miss 5-6 months following ankle surgery.
In the meantime, the Celtics have filled 14 of their 15 standard roster spots so far in the first week of the NBA off-season.
Joel Pavón
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