Following Sam Hauser’s club option acquisition earlier today, the Celtics have decided not to choose Neemias Queta’s for next season according The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach.

That does not imply Queta will not be on the team going forward. After he become yet another success story for the Celtics and their G League club in Maine, both sides might still pursue a long-term agreement in free agency. Originally signed on a two-way contract following Sacramento Kings release, Queta was converted on a normal contract for the playoff run in April.

In 15.4 minutes each game, Queta averaged 5.7 points and 5.1 rebounds over a ten-game stretch in December. He was also quite important during the Main Celtics’s G League Finals run.

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One-one with Neemias Queta: “It feels like a family”With just Al Horford signed for next season, Boston’s big man depth will be tested to start the 2024-20245 regular season as Kristaps Porzingis’s expected recovery falls in the 5-6 month range with a possible comeback in December. Apart from Queta, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr. also qualify as free agents.

The Celtics have some free agency flexibility, though, by turning down Queta’s option. They may sign ring-chasing veterans to minimal deals if they are unable to negotiate deals with their own FA. With a seasoned pool including Mason Plumlee, Andre Drummond, and Goga Bitadze to dig in, MassLive’s Brian Robb notes that the front office and former Celtic Daniel Theis have common interest.