Neemias Queta’s contract is big question for Sacramento Kings at Las Vegas Summer League
Neemias Queta is quite literally the biggest question mark remaining on the Kings’ roster as they move deeper into the summer with some uncertainty surrounding the 7-foot center from Portugal.
Queta, a restricted free agent, will have another audition for all 30 teams when the Kings play the Los Angeles Clippers in the Las Vegas Summer League on Monday night at Thomas & Mack Center.
Queta doesn’t know what the future holds, but he is open to the idea of remaining with the Kings even if that means accepting a two-way contract for the third year in a row.
“I feel like they’ve been knowing me for two years,” Queta said. “They know what I’ve been able to do. I feel like I’ve been able to showcase that to them and I feel like it’s a great place for me to keep growing.”
The Kings extended a $2.02 million qualifying offer to Queta on June 29, making him a restricted free agent. If a team makes Queta a better offer — meaning a standard NBA contract — Sacramento will have the opportunity to match the terms of that deal.
At that point, the Kings would have a decision to make. At this point, it seems, the most they can offer is another two-way deal with the ability to convert Queta to a regular contract at any time. That is an option if the Kings need a third true center behind Domantas Sabonis and Alex Len or if they want to give their third two-way contract to Jordan Ford, the former Folsom High School star who has impressed this summer.
The Kings have already given two-way contracts to Keon Ellis and second-round draft pick Jalen Slawson. Teams can carry three two-way players this season. Players with more than three years of service are not eligible for two-way contracts, so this is Queta’s last opportunity for a two-way deal.
Queta wants to be a full-time NBA player, but he said he sees the potential benefits of additional development time in the G League.
“It can be beneficial,” Queta said. “It’s a matter of perspective. I don’t want to diddle and daddle into that because it’s not up to me. I’m here to work and play basketball.”
Queta discussed his future after posting 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals with a big fourth-quarter performance in an 80-76 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Friday’s Las Vegas Summer League opener. His potential is intriguing, but he remains largely unproven at the NBA level.
Queta was runner-up for the G League MVP award last season. He averaged 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.9 blocks while shooting 68% from the field and 80.3% at the free-throw line in 29 games for the Stockton Kings. His NBA numbers pale in comparison with career averages of 2.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 20 appearances over two seasons.
Queta said his contract situation hasn’t changed his approach this summer.
“I feel like the approach is always the same,” Queta said. “I want to come in and play hard and make sure I’m helping my teammates. I feel like it’s a matter of time until I’m able to compete at a consistent level in the NBA.”
Kings assistant and summer league coach Luke Loucks has given Queta a vote of confidence.
“I’m a big Neemie fan,” Loucks said. “Contract wise, I’m not sure and I can’t speak on that, but Neemie the person is an incredible person. He’s about the right things. He shows up and works.”
The reason for the Kings to wait on Queta is the same as the reason they selected him in the first place out of Utah State with the 39th pick in the 2021 NBA draft. He is 7 feet tall and 245 pounds with a rare blend of size, strength, length and athleticism. When everything comes together, Queta could be a force. And for the next few days, he’s still 23 years old.
Many NBA big men take years to develop before they reach their potential in their mid-20s. And despite rumors of the demise of the traditional NBA center, there are still some imposing figures out there, including two-time MVP Nikola Jokic (6-11/284) and reigning MVP Joel Embiid (7-0/280).
It is no coincidence that the first time the Kings called Queta up from the G League last season was for a Dec. 13 game against Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. That didn’t go well. Queta committed three fouls in two minutes, went back to the bench and did not return while Embiid feasted for 31 points in 30 minutes in a 123-103 victory over Sacramento.
Six days later, Queta was more effective with two points, four rebounds and one blocked shot in seven foul-free minutes against the Charlotte Hornets. Two days after that, he had a season-high 10 points and three rebounds in 11 minutes in a 134-120 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Queta’s performance in that game came up the other day as Loucks addressed his summer league squad.
“I think I said it to the team this morning,” Loucks said. “In terms of embracing your role, I think (Queta) played a total of 28 minutes last year, but he helped us win one game against the Lakers.”
That one game helped the Kings finish three games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference as Sacramento ended the longest playoff drought in NBA history, reaching the postseason for the first time since 2006.
Queta hopes to help the Kings win more games in the future.
