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NBA

Celtics sign C Neemias Queta to four-year, $56 million contract extension

The Celtics are picking up Queta’s team option for this season. This extension will kick in beginning next year, and run through the 2031 campaign.

Queta earning a four-year extension would’ve been unfathomable this time last year. Over his first four seasons, the 2021 second-round pick was simply a bit piece. A third-string center, Queta was mainly a raw rim protector used sporadically, offering essentially nothing else aside from rebounding.

The calculus changed last year, as the 26-year-old was thrust into a starting role in Boston. With increased opportunity — and organizational belief — Queta thrived, averaging 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the 56-win Celtics.

Boston just inked Mitchell Robinson to a three-year pact, making Queta’s exact role uncertain. I’m not sure that matters, though. It’s a near certainty that Robinson and Queta will eat up nearly every minute at center for the Celtics, so it’s mostly immaterial as to which big starts.

$14 million per season is real money in NBA terms. If Queta continues his ascension, this will be a bargain for Boston. That’s the most likely outcome for an organization that needs a win after trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers.

Hornets receive:
PF Dorian Finney-Smith
2027 second-round pick (via Grizzlies)
2028 second-round pick
2033 second-round pick

Rockets receive:
Cash considerations

Finney-Smith was an important free-agent addition by the Rockets last summer. Signing a four-year contract worth nearly $53 million, the forward was expected to be yet another rangy wing Houston could throw at opponents. Nothing materialized on that end, however, as Finney Smith’s play fell off a cliff.

Finney-Smith, 33, played in 37 games for Houston, and shot just 33 percent from the floor. He’s still a long, versatile defender, but his impact on that side of the ball has dwindled, too. At this point, he’s a ninth or 10th man at best.

As such, the Rockets are salary dumping Finney-Smith to the Hornets to make way for a few recent additions. Charlotte is adding three second-round picks for its pain, which isn’t much considering Finney-Smith’s deal is non-guaranteed after this season.

In the meantime, the Hornets can take a look at Finney-Smith, hoping that he rediscovers at least some of his previous form. After all, the veteran was a vital piece for the Lakers as recently as 2025.

If — as expected — Finney-Smith can’t contribute for Charlotte, the Hornets will be more than fine. The team already has Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Naz Reid and Royce O’Neale, among others, that can eat minutes at the forward spots.

This is a worthwhile move for Charlotte, as the Hornets now have 20 second-round selections over the next seven seasons. If desired, the franchise is well-positioned to make a move for a star in the coming years.

Finney-Smith averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game last season.

Pistons sign SF Javonte Green to one-year, $3.95 million contract

Green, a Radford product, finally made the NBA as a 26-year-old in 2019. He bounced around after that, settling in with the Pistons last season. Green appeared in all 82 games for Detroit, serving as a reliable rotation piece for the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

Green turns 33 this month, so it’s fair to predict a slight decline for the forward. At the veteran’s minimum, that’s a practical risk for the Pistons to take on. At worst, Green will still be worth a roster spot. At best, Green will serve in the role he did last year. Either way, Detroit should be okay with the outcome.

Green averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game last season.