Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics

When looking at the Boston Celtics‘ current roster, it’s clear that they’re in dire need of an upgrade at the center position.

Neemias Queta showed significant developmental growth throughout the season. However, once the playoffs rolled around, it quickly became evident that he wasn’t ready to anchor Boston’s defense or provide reliable production on the offensive end.

With that in mind, an anonymous scout recently told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps
and Brian Windhorst that Boston’s big man rotation must be a priority for Brad Stevens this summer.

“They have to get a higher-level center if they want to be considered serious contenders,” the scout said. “They were always going to have problems replacing Jrue and KP and these guys to get below the tax — because they don’t have the ability to replace those salary slots. Can they get someone with the [midlevel exception]? Hard to see that.”

Boston suffered somewhat of a talent drain ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. They lost Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Kristaps Porzingis via free agency or trade during that offseason. If the Celtics are going to re-emerge as contenders, acquiring a starting-caliber center who can get it done in the playoffs will be essential.

Another Anonymous Scout Weighs In

In the same ESPN article, a Western Conference scout also shared a similar sentiment, noting that Queta’s fall-off during the playoffs is proof that Boston needs to seek out an upgrade.

“Can Queta get you through 82? Yes, but can he patchwork it through the playoffs?” the first West scout said. “I think he keeps getting better, but there’s a ceiling. They have to get a higher-level center if they want to be considered serious contenders.”

Queta is more than good enough to be a spot starter in the NBA. However, his long-term role will likely be as a secondary big man, at least when playing for a franchise with championship aspirations.

As such, Brad Stevens must now scour the league for a big that can improve the current roster, while also fitting into Joe Mazzulla’s preferred style of play. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean shooting threes, as Kornet thrived when operating as a screener and creative hub on the perimeter.

Celtics Expected To Part With Nikola Vucevic

Queta wasn’t the only member of the Celtics’ big man rotation to underwhelm during their short-lived trip to the postseason. Nikola Vucevic, who arrived ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, also struggled when on the court.

Unlike Queta, Vucevic was playing on an expiring contract. He will now become an unrestricted free agent.

When speaking with Sean Deveney of Heavy on Sports, an Eastern Conference executive, who was speaking under the condition of anonymity, noted that Vucevic’s tenure with the Celtics is likely over.

“He was a misfit with them from the beginning,” one Eastern Conference executive said. “He is a big, slow, offense-first kind of player. He’s not going to protect the paint, he didn’t shoot it great from 3 (34% with the Celtics). It was kind of a marriage of convenience where they traded for him because he was a big guy who could maybe change things up for them and help them cut back on salary and get out of some of the (repeater) tax stuff they’d been in.

Finding a quality big man isn’t an easy task. However, it’s a task Stevens must now face head on, as it could directly impact the team’s chances of success next season.