Getty Neemias Queta
After signing a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics, Neemias Queta made quite an impression during preseason. He shot 13-for-15 from the field mostly because of his touch around the rim being a lob threat.
Did the third year center play well enough that the Celtics may consider giving him a full-time contract? According to MassLive’s Brian Robb, there have been rumblings, but for the time being, Queta will stay on a two-way deal.
“There has been a lot of buzz about Queta potentially getting a promotion to the 15-man roster to begin the year after some standout play in the preseason. However, a league source told MassLive that Queta is expected to remain on a two-way deal to at least begin the year,” Robb wrote in an October 23 story.
Robb provided the details of what Queta’s role will look like on a two-way deal.
“Queta will have several games of eligibility on a two-way deal with Boston and the team will also retain some flexibility to convert his contract to a standard contract if they choose to later in the year.”
Queta could get more playing time if the Celtics frontcourt loses one or both of Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. While not the most proven player, but the Sacramento Kings signed to him to a partially guaranteed contract before waiving him to make room for JaVale McGee, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Dalano Banton & Svi Mykhailuk Make Roster
The Celtics signed Dalano Banton and Svi Mykhailiuk to partially guaranteed contracts during the offseason. The Celtics could have waived them before opening night to prevent themselves from paying more guaranteed money, but, per Robb, they weren’t likely to.
“Several other players with partial guarantees have acquitted themselves well this month with Svi Mykhailiuk and Dalano Banton expected to make the final 15-man roster per league sources,” Robb wrote in an October 20 story.
In Robb’s story about Queta, he confirmed that Banton and Mykhailiuk were among the players who the Celtics elected to keep on their opening night roster.
“All players remaining on partially and non-guaranteed deals (Dalano Banton, Svi Mykhailiuk, Luke Kornet, Lamar Stevens) are expected to make the opening night roster a source told MassLive barring a late development,” Robb wrote.
For now, the Celtics won’t make any big changes before opening night, but a lot could change between when the season starts and the NBA Trade Deadline.
Nathan Knight Sends Message After Signing With Celtics
On October 22, Wojnarowski reported via his X account that the Celtics had used their last two-way roster spot on Nathan Knight.
Free agent F Nathan Knight is signing a two-way deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN.
Knight himself quote-tweeted Wojnarowski’s report, writing “chip on my shoulder bigger than ever.”
That same day, footage came out featuring Knight playing with his new Celtics teammates.
The new guy Nathan Knight with a strong stretch.
The Celtics had a slot available after Jay Scrubb suffered a season-ending ACL tear. The Celtics will enter the 2023-24 season with Knight, Queta, and JD Davison on two-way contracts. Because the Celtics will also enter the season with an open full-time roster spot, they could promote any one of those three to full-time.
That’s how Sam Hauser worked his way up to where he is now with the Celtics, so never say never.