Queta is much better contract value, without a doubt, but Claxton's passing makes him a much better complimentary piece. He also has more in game potential to really take over like his triple double from a couple of weeks ago. Queta has more rebounding potential (see the 18 board game his last one), but he is a black hole and can't really play away from the basket at all on offense. If he isn't within 3 feet of the hoop he is basically worthless on the offensive end. They are similar defenders i.e. solid shot blockers and won't get killed all that often. The lack of range or horrid passing though is why I called Claxton signficantly better. He isn't 20 million a year better though, but he is better. Given the lack of big men, I think if the team had Claxton starting with Queta as the back-up they'd be in a decent shape, though optimally the team would be able to find someone better than Claxton even if it meant giving up more to get him.
I saw a rumor that had Claxton going to Toronto for Poeltl, Agbaji, and a 2nd. If Boston could get in on that and get Poeltl, I think he'd be a better fit though he is owed a ton of money going forward (which is why Toronto would make that switch). So in January when Poeltl can be traded, I'd look at acquiring him for Simons with Claxton going to the Raptors and Simons, Agbaji, and a 2nd from Toronto going to the Nets. That gets Boston below the apron and very close to the tax line as well (so could potentially get a reset year), though with a long-term bigger money commitment to Poeltl. So with Tatum back, Boston would be PP, White, Brown, Tatum, Poeltl with Hauser, Queta, Walsh, Minott, Hugo, Baylor, Garza. Much closer to contention with that team and you keep all 1st's for potential trades.
Poeltl would be great. I am just impressed with Neemias's growth.
Teammate Danny Ainge once called McHale "The Black Hole of the low post", joking that when the basketball was passed inside to McHale it disappeared because he rarely passed it back out to the perimeter.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_McHale_(basketball)
They call McHale a black hole, too, but of course, Neemias is no Kevin McHale. We should hire Kevin to work with him next summer.
Our old dynasties continually added young talent to compliment our veterans. It is a different world with free agencies, but I would like to see us trade for Day'ron Sharpe. It was revealed we tried to sign him if the off season. We could clear up the wing abundance. I would offer Schiermann and Tillman and a pick but not our first this year. We could resign him if we let Simons walk. This frees up Hugo and Walsh. Move Keon on the roster. I doubt the Nets would do the trade.
https://celticswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/celtics/2025/11/29/celtics-reportedly-looked-at-signing-nets-big-man-dayron-sharpe/87529171007/
