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ATLANTA — Neemias Queta and the Celtics haven’t engaged in discussions about changing his two-way contract to a typical one, he informed CLNS Media/CelticsBlog on Tuesday. Boston activated him for his forty seventh NBA sport 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 stated. “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 dwell 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 under the sixth time this 12 months for the primary of two video games he’s anticipated to play at Faculty Park whereas Boston performs in Atlanta this week. He scored 18 factors on 9-of-11 taking pictures, grabbing 9 rebounds whereas posting three assists and three blocks in an essential win for a 20-12 Maine workforce 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 Faculty Park earlier than ending the season on Saturday in Texas. The Celtics journey to New Orleans that evening earlier than ending the highway journey at Charlotte on Monday.
That stretch marks a busier journey swing than Queta skilled for many 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 sport. A five-game run between January and February noticed him submit 6.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.2 BPG on 75% FG over 11.8 MPG.
“It’s undoubtedly been an amazing 12 months for me,” Queta stated. “Having the ability to be taught with a number of the finest gamers within the league and the perfect workforce within the league proper now. It’s undoubtedly helped me attending to be a extra constant participant, attending to develop every single day. I’ve been grateful for that and on the similar 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 sport 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 heart 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 grew to become the workforce’s new depth large 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 out there 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 a typical contract earlier than Apr. 14, the ultimate day of the common season. For now, he’s talking partly like a member of the Maine Celtics, ready to bolster their postseason run as a substitute. Queta will change into a restricted free agent this summer time if he’s not transformed.
“It is perhaps a time the place I include Boston,” Queta stated. “However hopefully I can hold taking part in, having the ability to assist the workforce right here in Maine. The subsequent two video games, I wish to assist the workforce on that finish. We’ll see after that. You by no means actually know. Plenty of issues can occur. Plenty of issues can change. You’ve gotta hold your thoughts open with regards to that.”
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