Given the absence of star forward Jayson Tatum for a majority of the campaign, the Boston Celtics had a better-than-expected 2025-26 season.
The Celtics finished the season with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and they almost advanced in postseason play before being upset by the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games in the first round.
Jaylen Brown received much of the credit for keeping the Celtics afloat in Tatum’s absence, but Neemias Queta also deserves some praise for his impact last season. Queta slid into a starting spot for the first time in his career and provided Boston with some solid production in the form of per game averages of 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds.
Neemias Queta Named NBA’s Most Underrated Player
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 09: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics reacts after Sam Hauser #30 scored a three point basket during the second quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 09, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Pamela Smith/Getty Images)
Despite his productive play, Queta remains largely unheralded outside of Boston. As a result, he was recently named the most underrated player in the league heading into the ’26-27 season by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report.
“When the Celtics took a hacksaw to their bloated budget last summer, they did so knowing that the bottom might fall out for its interior rotation. Neemias Queta is the biggest (only?) reason why Boston’s bigs were able to hold it together,” Buckley wrote.
“Queta is now a first-paragraph part of the story of the Celtics’ success going forward. This past season wasn’t simply his first as a full-time starter; it was his first crack at being a rotation regular. His arrow is pointing all the way up; this will just hopefully point more people toward noticing that.”
Queta might remain a relatively unknown name outside of Boston, but if he turns in another season like he did last year, that won’t be the case for much longer.
Celtics Rewarded Neemias Queta for Excellent 2025-26 NBA Season
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 05: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics reacts to a play during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on April 05, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
While Queta might remain underrated on a national level, he certainly isn’t underrated by the Celtics organization. Earlier this month, the Celtics rewarded Queta for his productive play with a fully guaranteed four-year, $56 million contract extension that will keep him under team control through the 2030-31 season.
Clearly, the Celtics are very bullish on Queta to make that kind of investment in him. Moving forward, it will be up to him to prove them right.
Boston Celtics Starter Named Most Underrated Player in NBA