Sacramento Kings center Neemias Queta (88) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)AP
The Celtics agreed to a two-way contract with former Kings center Neemias Queta a source confirmed to MassLive on Saturday. Shams Charania of Stadium first reported the deal for Boston’s final two-way slot.
The 7-foot center spent the first two years of his pro career with the Kings after he was drafted at No. 39 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Queta has appeared in just 20 total NBA games over the last two years in Sacramento on a two-way deal, averaging 7.5 minutes per game in the contest. However, he has been a standout in the G-League, earning first-team honors last year while averaging 16.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.4 APG and 1.9 BPG in 27.7 MPG during 29 contests for Sacramento’s affiliate. Queta spent his college career at Utah State before joining the Kings.
Queta was initially expected to compete for a roster spot with Sacramento this year after signing a partially guaranteed deal. However, the team waived him last week after agreeing to a deal with JaVale McGee. Massachusetts native Nerlens Noel also was waived by the Kings after the McGee signing.
Queta slots in as the third and final two-way contract for Boston heading into training camp along with guards JD Davison and Jay Scrubb. The 24-year-old will likely compete for third string center minutes with Luke Kornet during camp as Boston looks to bolster its depth behind a frontcourt with durability question marks (Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Williams, Al Horford).
The Celtics still have an open roster spot available on the 15-man roster along with three non-guaranteed deals (Dalano Banton, Svi Myhailiuk, Luke Kornet) in competition for roster spots. Boston’s training camp opens up on October 3rd at the Auerbach Center.