Neemias Queta won't pay $100K to train with Olajuwon

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta says he will not spend about $100,000 to train with Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, even after signing a four-year, $56 million extension. Speaking to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Queta called himself stingy and vowed to keep improving through his own work and Boston's development staff.

Key Takeaways

• Neemias Queta told A Bola he will not spend $100,000 on training, "not even with Hakeem Olajuwon."
• His four-year, $56 million Celtics extension averages about $14 million per year and begins ahead of the 2027-28 season.
• Queta said long-term belief from Boston mattered more than the money itself.
• The 27-year-old is focused on switching defense, ball-handling, post creation, spacing, and a more consistent shot.
• He jumped to 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game last season after 5.0 and 3.8 the year before.

What Did Neemias Queta Say About Training With Hakeem Olajuwon?

The quote that lit up timelines is straightforward. Asked whether his new deal would make it easier to pay roughly $100,000 for a week of specialized post-move work with two-time NBA champion Hakeem Olajuwon, Queta shut it down.

"I'm stingy," he told A Bola, according to BasketNews. "No, I don't spend $100,000 on training."

Pressed on whether Olajuwon would be the exception, Queta did not flinch. "Not even with Hakeem Olajuwon," he said. In an era when big contracts often trigger splashy private camps, Queta chose thrift over the viral flex.

That stance fits a wider then-and-now NBA story: legends still sell dream footwork sessions, but not every modern big believes a five-figure week is required. Fans of deep-cut sports memory can find more of that vibe in our Nostalgia: Then & Now hub.

Why Does Queta's $56 Million Extension Matter Here?

Context is everything. Boston recently locked Queta into a four-year, $56 million extension that Heavy Sports reports will kick in ahead of the 2027-28 season, with an average annual value around $14 million. Queta is set to earn $2.6 million for the upcoming campaign before that new money arrives.

Many assumed the payday would loosen his wallet for elite offseason tutors. Queta flipped that script. He framed the deal as security, not a shopping spree.

"For me, the money wasn't the most important thing at all," Queta said. "The most important thing was knowing that Boston believed in me for another four years."

He added that he can keep calling Boston home without looking over his shoulder or fretting about free agency, injuries, and the next contract every night. That calm, he suggested, is worth more than a $100,000 training week.

How Is Neemias Queta Planning to Improve Without That Session?

Refusing Olajuwon's price tag does not mean Queta is coasting. The Portuguese center said he is grinding on both ends for the 2026-27 season, leaning on individual work and Boston's player development program rather than a one-week legend clinic.

Defensively, he wants to switch more freely and guard smaller scorers one-on-one without constant help. "I feel confident in that aspect; you can always be more comfortable," he explained.

Offensively, Queta listed a clear checklist: tighter ball control, creating in the low post, spacing the floor, a more consistent shot, and a larger overall scoring impact. "Offensively, it's about having the ball in my hands," he said.

Those goals track with a real leap already on the books. Last season he averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks after posting 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds the year before. Heavy noted he stepped into a starting role and then struggled in the postseason — a learning curve he still has to climb.

Where Does Queta Fit in Boston's Big-Man Picture Now?

Queta's thrift story lands as Boston deepens its frontcourt. The Celtics added Mitchell Robinson in free agency after the rim-runner helped the New York Knicks win a title, and Luka Garza remains in the mix after a strong debut year with the franchise.

Heavy reported that Robinson operated under an unofficial minutes restriction last season, which could leave Queta well placed to keep starting minutes if he earns them. Either way, the competition raises the stakes on Queta's self-directed improvement plan.

For a player who just secured multi-year faith from the front office, skipping a six-figure week with Dream is less about disrespecting a legend and more about process. Queta is betting that Boston's coaches, his own gym time, and four years of stability will beat the classic big-contract training flex.

That is the viral hook with a credible core: Neemias Queta got paid, stayed grounded, and still believes the best post moves he needs are the ones he builds in Celtic green.