Celtics Mailbag: How will Celtics acquire center for the future?

The Celtics are riding high after coming off their biggest win of the season on Wednesday night against the Pistons. With plenty of attention still on Boston’s frontcourt following Neemias Queta’s strong start to the season, let’s tackle the big man situation and more in this week’s mailbag.

Jaylen Brown called out the team after it lost to the Brooklyn Nets for a lack of effort and hustle. Who was he pointing fingers at specifically? Who is not playing hard in your opinion? I think the team struggles against speedier teams so it looks like the other team is playing harder when, in fact, they are playing faster and the Celtics can’t match. Coach Joe wants his team to play fast but maybe that’s not the best strategy for them. What do you think? — Tom B

Those were certainly intriguing comments from Brown and it was noteworthy to hear the players he singled out for good effort (Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh) compared to the rest. It didn’t feel like Brown was calling anyone out specifically but it was evident that Boston’s defense waned at points with certain lineups. Boston gave up a 19-4 run in the third quarter of that game with their most athletic wings on the bench (Minott/Gonzalez/Walsh).

As you said, the Nets looked like the faster team that night, but the Celtics sometimes play personnel (Garza, Scheierman) that struggle with that. Elsewhere, it’s evident that the Celtics starters aren’t necessarily playing as uptempo as expected in part due to the burden they have to carry on both ends for key contributors (Brown, White, etc.) Being a bottom five team on the defensive rebounding front also doesn’t help with this area either. Ultimately, the Celtics are going to need different personnel to play at the speed that Mazzulla wants but it’s hard to argue with the results so far offensively. Despite being last in pace, they are sixth in offensive rating entering Wednesday night. That’s a stellar result for a team missing Jayson Tatum and a host of other offensive talent from last year.

Considering how much he’s improved this year, what do you think the front office sees as Queta’s ceiling? — Joel

It’s certainly piqued the interest of multiple players around the organization. The team clearly saw something in him a couple years back when they locked him up on a three-year deal after converting his two-way contract.

His performance as a starter this year has been better than anyone could have expected at this point and certainly bodes well for Boston’s future. The idea of him being a starter on a contending team in a year or two has to be considered a possibility now given his progression this year. The on/off numbers (+16 net rating) speak for themselves and his offensive range becomes far less of an issue once Tatum comes back into the fold. Instead, his presence as a rim runner and offensive rebounder gives Boston’s offense enough balance to remain elite.

The bigger question with Queta going forward is whether he is the crunch-time answer for this team when it’s back towards contending. Fouling remains a concern at times if he’s playing bigger minutes and his defensive versatility could make him a target in some matchups when he’s switched onto smaller players. Whether Boston’s front office looks to add another option for next season to address that area will be a lingering question impacted by Queta’s performance the rest of this season. Seeing him soak up 20-25 minutes at center for next year and beyond feels like a reasonable expectation.

Is it realistic to hope for a center who could help the Celtics contend for the start of the 26-27 season? What big man could the Celtics realistically pair with Tatum/Brown/White? Or is it more realistic to trade one of them to fill out the frontcourt? — Alex L

This is probably the biggest conundrum facing the Celtics brass in the next year and beyond. It seems evident for now after Boston tested the trade waters for some of their stars last offseason that Boston’s preferred path moving forward is building with this core in place rather than moving a big piece like Brown or White to revamp it. That type of move may ultimately come regardless (if they fail to get back to contending in a year or two) but finding a center to bring in to pair with Queta has to be at the top of the list of needs. The development of young wings throughout the start of this season helps Boston potentially make that area less of a pressing need than another playable big moving forward.

The contracts of Simons/Hauser will be pivotal for the Celtics to be able to acquire another center via trade due to salary matching. Simons is an expiring deal, so the Celtics may elect to trade for someone with long-term money attached to keep that as a tradable asset heading into the offseason. However, achieving that and getting under the luxury tax this season make that a fine needle to thread for the brass.

As far as realistic big men to keep an eye out for, look for anyone making under $25 million to fit within the team’s budget/under the second apron for next season.

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