Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards should sign this recently waived center

ByCem Yolbulan|
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Delon Wright #55 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket in the first quarter against Neemias Queta #88 of the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 23, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Delon Wright #55 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket in the first quarter against Neemias Queta #88 of the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 23, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Washington Wizards desperately need more depth in their big man rotation. The only true centers on their roster are Daniel Gafford and Mike Muscala. Danilo Gallinari, Kyle Kuzma, Anthony Gill, or Xavier Cooks could potentially play small-ball center in limited minutes, but every team needs three traditional centers for the 82-game season.

At the same time, the Wizards are in a roster crunch. They already have 16 guaranteed contracts and they have to get down to 15 before the season opener. Therefore, signing any new player would require moving on from two players and that might be unreasonable. However, the Wizards still have an open two-way contract spot, and one recently waived center is the perfect candidate for that final spot: Neemias Queta.

Queta was just waived by the Sacramento Kings after spending two seasons between their G League affiliate and the big club. He was the Kings’ 39th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Despite Queta showing some promise, Sacramento elected to go with a more experienced option as their third-string center; JaVale McGee.

This opens up an excellent opportunity for both Queta and the Wizards. The 7-footer was one of the best players in the G League last season, making the All-NBA G League First Team with averages of 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.9 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game while shooting an impressive 68% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line. He also made the G League All-Defensive Team.

The 24-year-old big man has an intriguing combination of size, length, and quickness. He has the potential to be both a switchable and a rim-protecting center. These types of players are rare to find, so it’s worth a flyer to sign one on a two-way contract and see if you can develop them further.

Queta has been a productive player at every level he has played in. For a defensive-minded center, he is not a complete negative offensively. His touch, finishing, and passing are solid for a defense-first backup center.

It’s still not clear what the Wizards’ plan is for the center rotation, but they need to seriously consider Neemias Queta as a depth option. It’s hard to do better than him for your final two-way spot.

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