C's pick up Queta's option, add $56M extension

The Boston Celtics are signing center Neemias Queta to a fully guaranteed four-year, $56 million extension, his agent, Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Celtics picked up Queta's option for next season earlier this week before agreeing to the new extension with the 7-footer that keeps him under contract through the 2030-31 season.

Queta, who turns 27 on July 13, had a breakout season for Boston, playing a vital role in the Celtics frontcourt. He averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, over 65% shooting and 1.3 blocked shots in the first full-time starting role of his career.

He manned the starting center role for the Celtics after the departures of veteran big men Luke Kornet, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Queta started 75 of the 76 games he appeared in last season, averaging just over 25 minutes per game. He finished fourth in the NBA's Most Improved Player voting and received a handful of All-Defense votes as well.

Queta appeared in a total of 20 games for the Sacramento Kings over the first two seasons of his career before signing a three-year contract with the Celtics that has now blossomed into his guaranteed deal.