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2025 Free Agents - Neemias Queta

Queta has been an effective G-League player for multiple years, but wasn't been able to get many NBA minutes until '24-'25, where he had some solid performances as a back-up big for the Celtics. ​ Queta is huge at 7'0" with a 7'4" wingspan, and knows how to use his size to finish well inside on offense, protect the rim on defense, and rebound well on both ends of the court. However, he doesn't move very well laterally, and that can be a death sentence in the NBA. He also needs to improve his overall feel on offense, particularly as a passer if he's going to be a true threat as the roll man in pick-and-roll. He has improved his screening, which is one reason why he has become more effective. Queta will be 26 years old as a free agent in 2025, so he's no longer a young prospect. However, he has shown that he can be a decent backup or third center, even if the Celtics did not trust him with any playoff minutes.

Summary

Queta's $2.3 million salary for 2025-2026 is non-guaranteed, and if he is waived he will become an unrestricted free agent and the Celtics will have no form of Bird rights on him. If he is waived, any team could claim him off waivers as his salary fits within the minimum salary exception. If Queta becomes a free agent, other teams will have multiple ways to sign him as even teams without cap space could use any of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Room MLE, Taxpayer MLE, or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him. If Queta is waived and clears waivers, his value will likely have dropped low enough that he would only have offers for the minimum, and he may not even get fully-guaranteed offers.

Cap Considerations

Charles Bassey (1 year minimum, 2024) Bruno Fernando (1 year minimum, non-guaranteed, 2024) Anthony Gill (2-1 year minimum, 2024)

Player/Contract Comparison

Potential Teams: Grizzlies, Celtics, Suns, Wizards, Hornets

Predicted Contract: Not waived: $2.3 million
If waived: 1-year, $2.3 million with the Grizzlies

Actual Contract: Not waived: $2.3 million
Queta was not waived, and may end up being the opening night starter for the Celtics.

Last updated: 9/13/2025

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