ATLANTA — Neemias Queta and the Celtics haven’t engaged in discussions about changing his two-way contract to an ordinary one, he informed CLNS Media/CelticsBlog on Tuesday. Boston activated him for his forty seventh NBA recreation on Saturday in opposition to the Bulls, leaving three remaining this season earlier than he turns into ineligible for the playoffs.
“I’m simply doing my job,” Queta mentioned. “If it comes right down to it and so they wish to give me the contract, it’s cool. In the event that they don’t wish to give it to me, I can stay with it. I’m doing what was anticipated throughout the 12 months and that’s the place we’re at.”
Queta joined the Maine Celtics for less than the sixth time this 12 months for the primary of two video games he’s anticipated to play at School Park whereas Boston performs in Atlanta this week. He scored 18 factors on 9-of-11 capturing, grabbing 9 rebounds whereas posting three assists and three blocks in an essential win for a 20-12 Maine crew chasing a primary spherical bye. Brad Stevens, Jeff Van Gundy, Sam Hauser, Jrue Vacation and different Boston teammates and coaches attended Tuesday’s 127-112 win.
Maine performs once more on Thursday reverse of Boston at School Park earlier than ending the season on Saturday in Texas. The Celtics journey to New Orleans that night time earlier than ending the highway journey at Charlotte on Monday.
That stretch marks a busier journey swing than Queta skilled for a lot of the season, changing into a Boston common within the fall even whereas inactive and injured. The Celtics handled accidents to Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet, rested Al Horford usually and with out Grant Williams within the entrance court docket, ample taking part in time emerged for Queta. Boston gained 9 out of 10 video games in late November into December the place he averaged 16.3 minutes, 5.9 factors and 5.9 rebounds per recreation. A five-game run between January and February noticed him put up 6.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.2 BPG on 75% FG over 11.8 MPG.
“It’s positively been a terrific 12 months for me,” Queta mentioned. “With the ability to be taught with a number of the greatest gamers within the league and one of the best crew within the league proper now. It’s positively helped me attending to be a extra constant participant, attending to develop day-after-day. I’ve been grateful for that and on the identical time, we simply wish to hold it going.”
Queta feels good as March concludes after what he described as a number of well being scares early within the season. He didn’t seem in a recreation till Nov. 19, lacking Boston’s 12 video games with what he described as an aggravation of a stress fracture in his proper foot that ended his Summer time League final July with Sacramento. The Kings went on to waive Queta in September to make room for veteran middle JaVale McGee to signal following his launch from Dallas. The Celtics landed Queta three days later to some shock with out a lot competitors across the league.
Joe Mazzulla started describing Queta alongside rebounding ahead Oshae Brissett as rising into his circle of belief earlier this winter. Then, the Celtics traded for Xavier Tillman Sr., who turned the crew’s new depth massive after the deadline.
Two-way gamers can solely swimsuit up for 50 NBA video games, and the Celtics used them liberally to each play him and have him obtainable as insurance coverage throughout this 12 months’s opening months. JD Davison and Drew Peterson mixed to activate solely 17 occasions mixed.
Boston maintains an open roster spot, and might make Queta playoff-eligible by changing him to an ordinary contract earlier than Apr. 14, the ultimate day of the common season. For now, he’s talking partially like a member of the Maine Celtics, ready to bolster their postseason run as a substitute. Queta will turn out to be a restricted free agent this summer time if he’s not transformed.
“It may be a time the place I include Boston,” Queta mentioned. “However hopefully I can hold taking part in, having the ability to assist the crew right here in Maine. The following two video games, I wish to assist the crew on that finish. We’ll see after that. You by no means actually know. Lots of issues can occur. Lots of issues can change. You’ve gotta hold your thoughts open with regards to that.”
