Star forward Jayson Tatum going down with a ruptured Achilles tendon during last spring’s playoffs wasn’t the only reason why many assumed that this would be a “gap year” for the Boston Celtics. The franchise also bid farewell to multiple contributors to a team that won an NBA title in 2024, with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis leaving via trade, and Al Horford and Luke Kornet via free agency.
The departures of the latter three players left head coach Joe Mazzulla to rebuild his center rotation, with Neemias Queta being among the competitors for playing time. While he played well at EuroBasket for Portugal, would those performances translate to the NBA? The roles are far different, but what isn’t up for questioning is what Queta has managed to provide on most nights.
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The 7-footer has offered reliable fantasy value in his new role as the Celtics’ starting center. In 57 appearances, 56 of which have been starts, he’s averaging 10.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 24.9 minutes while shooting 64.5 percent from the field and 68.9 percent from the foul line.
There are many reasons why the Celtics sit second in the East, starting with Jaylen Brown playing at an MVP level, but Queta’s growth can’t be ignored. And it was on full display in Boston’s March 1 win over the 76ers, as he scored a career-high 27 points with 17 rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocked shots.
Based on his average draft position of 126, Queta wasn’t an afterthought in fantasy basketball before the season. But few, if any, expected him to be as valuable as he’s proven to be. And with Boston playing for playoff positioning, the center is someone who many fantasy managers will be able to rely on for the rest of this season.
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With the calendar flipping to March, it’s “prime time” in fantasy basketball.
|
Rank |
Position(s) |
Player |
Team |
|
1 |
C |
Nikola Jokić |
Denver Nuggets |
|
2 |
PG |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
3 |
PG |
Tyrese Maxey |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
4 |
C |
Victor Wembanyama |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
5 |
SF, PF |
Kawhi Leonard |
LA Clippers |
|
6 |
PG, SG |
Luka Dončić |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
7 |
PG, SG |
Jamal Murray |
Denver Nuggets |
|
8 |
PG |
Stephen Curry |
Golden State Warriors |
|
9 |
PG, SG |
Donovan Mitchell |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
10 |
PG, SG |
Cade Cunningham |
Detroit Pistons |
|
11 |
SG, SF, PF |
Scottie Barnes |
Toronto Raptors |
|
12 |
SF, PF |
Trey Murphy |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
13 |
SF, PF |
Jalen Johnson |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
14 |
SF, PF |
Lauri Markkanen |
Utah Jazz |
|
15 |
PG, SG |
Anthony Edwards |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
16 |
PG, SG |
James Harden |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
17 |
PG, SG |
Kevin Porter Jr. |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
18 |
SF, PF |
Kevin Durant |
Houston Rockets |
|
19 |
PF, C |
Chet Holmgren |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
20 |
SF, PF |
Mikal Bridges |
New York Knicks |
|
21 |
PF, C |
Anthony Davis |
Washington Wizards |
|
22 |
PG, SG |
Derrick White |
Boston Celtics |
|
23 |
C |
Onyeka Okongwu |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
24 |
PF, C |
Karl-Anthony Towns |
New York Knicks |
|
25 |
SF, PF |
Michael Porter Jr. |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
26 |
PG, SG |
Austin Reaves |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
27 |
C |
Jalen Duren |
Detroit Pistons |
|
28 |
C |
Joel Embiid |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
29 |
PG, SG |
Keyonte George |
Utah Jazz |
|
30 |
PF, C |
Alex Sarr |
Washington Wizards |
|
31 |
PF, C |
Evan Mobley |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
32 |
PF, C |
Giannis Antetokounmpo |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
33 |
SF |
Kon Knueppel |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
34 |
PG |
Jalen Brunson |
New York Knicks |
|
35 |
C |
Nikola Vučević |
Boston Celtics |
|
36 |
C |
Donovan Clingan |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
37 |
PG, SG |
Tyler Herro |
Miami Heat |
|
38 |
PG, SG |
Ty Jerome |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
39 |
SG, SF |
Desmond Bane |
Orlando Magic |
|
40 |
SF, PF |
OG Anunoby |
New York Knicks |
|
41 |
SG, SF |
Nickeil Alexander-Walker |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
42 |
PF, C |
Alperen Şengün |
Houston Rockets |
|
43 |
SF |
Cooper Flagg |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
44 |
PF, C |
Julius Randle |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
45 |
PG, SG |
Immanuel Quickley |
Toronto Raptors |
|
46 |
C |
Jarrett Allen |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
47 |
SF, PF |
Paul George |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
48 |
SF, PF |
Jaden McDaniels |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
49 |
PG |
Jalen Suggs |
Orlando Magic |
|
50 |
SG, SF |
Jaylen Brown |
Boston Celtics |
|
51 |
SF, PF |
Franz Wagner |
Orlando Magic |
|
52 |
PG |
Ryan Rollins |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
53 |
PG, SG, SF |
Amen Thompson |
Houston Rockets |
|
54 |
SF, PF |
Andrew Wiggins |
Miami Heat |
|
55 |
PG, SG |
LaMelo Ball |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
56 |
PF, C |
Bam Adebayo |
Miami Heat |
|
57 |
PF, C |
Naz Reid |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
58 |
SF, PF |
LeBron James |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
59 |
SG, SF |
Norman Powell |
Miami Heat |
|
60 |
SF, PF |
Brandon Miller |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
61 |
C |
Kristaps Porziņģis |
Golden State Warriors |
|
62 |
SG, SF |
Donte DiVincenzo |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
63 |
PF, C |
Kel’el Ware |
Miami Heat |
|
64 |
SG, SF |
Grayson Allen |
Phoenix Suns |
|
65 |
SG |
VJ Edgecombe |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
66 |
SF, PF |
Jalen Wiliams |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
67 |
SF, PF |
Deni Avdija |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
68 |
SG, SF, PF |
Brandon Ingram |
Toronto Raptors |
|
69 |
PG |
Collin Gillespie |
Phoenix Suns |
|
70 |
PG |
Payton Pritchard |
Boston Celtics |
|
71 |
PG, SG, SF |
Dyson Daniels |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
72 |
SF |
DeMar DeRozan |
Sacramento Kings |
|
73 |
C |
Neemias Queta |
Boston Celtics |
|
74 |
PG, SG |
Josh Giddey |
Chicago Bulls |
|
75 |
PF, C |
Jabari Smith Jr. |
Houston Rockets |
|
76 |
C |
Myles Turner |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
77 |
PG, SG |
Devin Booker |
Phoenix Suns |
|
78 |
SF, PF |
Saddiq Bey |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
79 |
SF, PF |
Miles Bridges |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
80 |
SG, SF, PF |
Josh Hart |
New York Knicks |
|
81 |
PG, SG |
De’Aaron Fox |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
82 |
PF, C |
Aaron Gordon |
Denver Nuggets |
|
83 |
C |
Mark Williams |
Phoenix Suns |
|
84 |
SF, PF |
Keegan Murray |
Sacramento Kings |
|
85 |
SF, PF |
Matas Buzelis |
Chicago Bulls |
|
86 |
PG, SG |
Ajay Mitchell |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
87 |
PG, SG |
Reed Sheppard |
Houston Rockets |
|
88 |
PF, C |
Pascal Siakam |
Indiana Pacers |
|
89 |
C |
Deandre Ayton |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
90 |
PG, SG |
Tre Jones |
Chicago Bulls |
|
91 |
C |
Rudy Gobert |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
92 |
PF, C |
John Collins |
LA Clippers |
|
93 |
PG |
Trae Young |
Washington Wizards |
|
94 |
C |
Jay Huff |
Indiana Pacers |
|
95 |
PG, SG |
Jrue Holiday |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
96 |
C |
Ivica Zubac |
Indiana Pacers |
|
97 |
C |
Robert Williams |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
98 |
C |
Isaiah Hartenstein |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
99 |
SF, PF, C |
Zion Williamson |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
100 |
SF, PF |
Peyton Watson |
Denver Nuggets |
|
101 |
PG, SG |
Cason Wallace |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
102 |
PG, SG |
Scotty Pippen Jr. |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
103 |
SG, SF |
Julian Champagnie |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
104 |
SF, PF |
Kelly Oubre Jr. |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
105 |
SG, SF, PF |
Ausar Thompson |
Detroit Pistons |
|
106 |
SG, SF |
Ayo Dosunmu |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
107 |
C |
Nicolas Claxton |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
108 |
C |
Wendell Carter Jr. |
Orlando Magic |
|
109 |
SG, SF |
Kyshawn George |
Washington Wizards |
|
110 |
SF, PF |
Tari Eason |
Houston Rockets |
|
111 |
SG, SF |
Matisse Thybulle |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
112 |
SG |
Cam Spencer |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
113 |
PG, SG |
Anthony Black |
Orlando Magic |
|
114 |
SG, SF |
Devin Vassell |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
115 |
PF, C |
Paolo Banchero |
Orlando Magic |
|
116 |
PF, C |
Santi Aldama |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
117 |
SF |
Jaylon Tyson |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
118 |
PF, C |
Al Horford |
Golden State Warriors |
|
119 |
C |
Luke Kornet |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
120 |
C |
Moussa Diabaté |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
121 |
PG, SG |
CJ McCollum |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
122 |
PF |
Tobias Harris |
Detroit Pistons |
|
123 |
SF, PF |
Royce O’Neale |
Phoenix Suns |
|
124 |
PG, SG |
Andrew Nembhard |
Indiana Pacers |
|
125 |
SF, PF |
Derrick Jones Jr. |
LA Clippers |
|
126 |
PF, C |
Sandro Mamukelashvili |
Toronto Raptors |
|
127 |
C |
Ryan Kalkbrenner |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
128 |
C |
Derik Queen |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
129 |
SF, PF |
Dillon Brooks |
Phoenix Suns |
|
130 |
C |
Dylan Cardwell |
Sacramento Kings |
|
131 |
SG, SF |
Sam Merrill |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
132 |
SF, PF |
Naji Marshall |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
133 |
PG |
Darius Garland |
LA Clippers |
|
134 |
SG, SF |
Moses Moody |
Golden State Warriors |
|
135 |
C |
Daniel Gafford |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
136 |
PG, SG |
Miles McBride |
New York Knicks |
|
137 |
PG |
Ja Morant |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
138 |
C |
Jakob Poeltl |
Toronto Raptors |
|
139 |
SF, PF |
Jerami Grant |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
140 |
SF, PF |
PJ Washington |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
141 |
C |
Jalen Smith |
Chicago Bulls |
|
142 |
PG, SG |
Brandin Podziemski |
Golden State Warriors |
|
143 |
PF, C |
Isaiah Stewart |
Detroit Pistons |
|
144 |
SG, SF |
Shaedon Sharpe |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
145 |
SG, SF |
Bennedict Mathurin |
LA Clippers |
|
146 |
PF, C |
Bobby Portis |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
147 |
SG, SF |
Max Christie |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
148 |
C |
Goga Bitadze |
Orlando Magic |
|
149 |
SG, SF, PF |
Herb Jones |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
150 |
PG, SG |
Jordan Goodwin |
Phoenix Suns |
|
151 |
SF, PF |
Toumani Camara |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
152 |
SG |
Cedric Coward |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
153 |
SG, SF |
Quentin Grimes |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
154 |
SG, SF |
Bilal Coulibaly |
Washington Wizards |
|
155 |
PG, SG |
De’Anthony Melton |
Golden State Warriors |
|
156 |
SG, SF |
Isaiah Joe |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
157 |
SG, SF |
Tim Hardaway Jr. |
Denver Nuggets |
|
158 |
PG, SG |
Davion Mitchell |
Miami Heat |
|
159 |
SF, PF |
Keldon Johnson |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
160 |
SF, PF |
RJ Barrett |
Toronto Raptors |
|
161 |
PG, SG |
Kris Dunn |
LA Clippers |
|
162 |
PF, C |
Dominick Barlow |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
163 |
PG, SG |
Stephon Castle |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
164 |
SF, PF |
Jake LaRavia |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
165 |
SG, SF |
Duncan Robinson |
Detroit Pistons |
|
166 |
SG, SF |
Jaime Jaquez Jr. |
Miami Heat |
|
167 |
C |
Jock Landale |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
168 |
PG |
T.J. McConnell |
Indiana Pacers |
|
169 |
PF, C |
Collin Murray-Boyles |
Toronto Raptors |
|
170 |
SG, SF, PF |
Cameron Johnson |
Denver Nuggets |
|
171 |
PG, SG |
Luke Kennard |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
172 |
PG, SG |
Russell Westbrook |
Sacramento Kings |
|
173 |
SF, PF |
Sam Hauser |
Boston Celtics |
|
174 |
PF, C |
Micah Potter |
Indiana Pacers |
|
175 |
C |
Day’Ron Sharpe |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
176 |
C |
Maxime Raynaud |
Sacramento Kings |
|
177 |
PG, SG |
Collin Sexton |
Chicago Bulls |
|
178 |
PF, C |
Marvin Bagley III |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
179 |
PG |
Egor Dëmin |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
180 |
C |
Andre Drummond |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
181 |
SF, PF |
Justin Champagnie |
Washington Wizards |
|
182 |
PF, C |
Kyle Filipowski |
Utah Jazz |
|
183 |
PG, SG |
Marcus Smart |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
184 |
SG, SF |
Aaron Nesmith |
Indiana Pacers |
|
185 |
C |
Mitchell Robinson |
New York Knicks |
|
186 |
SF, PF |
Rui Hachimura |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
187 |
PF, C |
Noah Clowney |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
188 |
SG, SF |
Alex Caruso |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
189 |
SG, SF, PF |
Ace Bailey |
Utah Jazz |
|
190 |
PG, SG |
Anfernee Simons |
Chicago Bulls |
|
191 |
PG, SG |
Dru Smith |
Miami Heat |
|
192 |
PG, SG, SF |
AJ Green |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
193 |
SG, SF |
Kevin Huerter |
Detroit Pistons |
|
194 |
SG, SF |
Ziaire Williams |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
195 |
PF, C |
Obi Toppin |
Indiana Pacers |
|
196 |
SG, SF |
Christian Braun |
Denver Nuggets |
|
197 |
SG, SF |
Vit Krejčí |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
198 |
PF, C |
Paul Reed |
Detroit Pistons |
|
199 |
PF, C |
Draymond Green |
Golden State Warriors |
|
200 |
SF, PF |
GG Jackson |
Memphis Grizzlies |
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