Neemias Queta has been clear about Hakeem Olajuwon's famous private training sessions. The Portuguese center for the Boston Celtics is not considering paying the $100,000 weekly fee that comes with training alongside the NBA legend.
When asked by the Lisbon newspaper A Bola during a wide-ranging interview, Queta answered without hesitation: "I'm stingy. No, I wouldn't spend $100,000 to train. Not even with Hakeem Olajuwon."
The comment comes at an important moment for the player. Queta, 27 years old and 2.13 meters tall, just completed the best season of his NBA career. In 2025/26, he started in 75 of his 76 games with the Boston Celtics, averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks.
Boston has also extended him through 2030, a strong show of confidence despite the arrival of Mitchell Robinson, who is expected to start as the primary center. Queta will earn $2.6 million next season, but will then have an average salary of around $13.5 million over three years.
The Portuguese player, however, insists that what mattered most was not just the money, but the stability. After several seasons on low contracts with less security, the deal allows him to establish himself in Boston and stop worrying about his immediate future.
Queta values the franchise's confidence and the chance to call Boston "home." As for Olajuwon, as tempting as it might sound for any big man, he has made his position quite clear: learn, yes; pay $100,000 for a week, no.