The Celtics have picked up team options for Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and Dalano Banton ahead of next season, per The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. Queta is due to make $2.7 million next season, while Walsh will make $2.4 million. Banton’s option was for $2.8 million, but it is non-guaranteed.
Last year, the Celtics picked up JD Davison’s non-guaranteed option, but waived him later in the summer ahead of him signing with the Houston Rockets.
The Celtics also declined team options for Max Shulga
and Amari Williams, both of last year’s second-round picks. Both players are eligible to return to the Celtics on a two-way contract, which they began the season on.
Neemias Queta remains a likely candidate for an extension
Neemias Queta could very well sign an extension with the Celtics in the coming days after establishing himself as the team’s starting center last season.
Queta, who is 26 years old, has had a long journey to get here; he was the 39th overall pick in 2021 but was waived by the Sacramento Kings two years later. He joined the Celtics on a two-way contract shortly after and began his tenure with the organization in Maine.
Queta was fourth in the team’s frontcourt depth chart during his first two seasons in Boston. But he became the starting center after the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and saw Al Horford and Luke Kornet walk away in free agency.
Last season, Queta averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 65.3% from the field. He averaged 25.3 minutes across 76 games, both career-highs.
But, playing postseason minutes for the first time, Queta struggled in the playoffs. Due to foul trouble, he was limited to just 21.7 minutes per game. He put together his best performance in Game 7, tallying 17 points (on 7-8 FG) and 12 rebounds in 33 minutes, all playoff career highs.
What is his market value after a career season? That remains to be seen.
Jordan Walsh is also eligible for an extension with the team
Walsh is also coming off a career year; in his third season, he averaged 5.4 points and 4 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game, shooting 50.9% from the field and 38.4% from three. Walsh started 25 games, oftentimes matching up against opposing teams’ best players, and recorded career-highs across the board. Walsh, who is 22 years old, was drafted 38th overall in 2023.
The Celtics agreed to a 3-year, $9 million extension with Ron Harper Jr on Saturday. Harper Jr. averaged 3.2 points in 11 minutes per game last season, after beginning the season on a training camp contract.
Jaylen Brown (July) and Payton Pritchard (October) are also both eligible for contract extensions in the coming months.
