The Boston Celtics have agreed to a deal with Ron Harper Jr., according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, bringing their offseason roster to the maximum of 21 players.
Harper was waived by the Detroit Pistons earlier this summer after joining them from the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, in January. He appeared in just one NBA game for Detroit, logging four points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes during the team’s season finale against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Now back with Boston on an Exhibit 10 contract, Harper is unlikely to crack the regular-season roster but is positioned to return to Maine, where he previously thrived. In 37 G League appearances last year between Maine and Motor City, the six-foot-four wing averaged 18.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 39 percent from deep on 8.9 attempts per night.
Celtics Maintain Flexibility with 15th Spot
Harper joins Jalen Bridges, Aaron Scott, and Hayden Gray on Exhibit 10 deals as training camp nears. Meanwhile, Boston officially signed second-round pick Amari Williams to a two-way contract, filling all three of the team’s two-way slots alongside Max Shulga and RJ Luis Jr.
Currently, the Celtics have 14 players on standard contracts meeting the NBA minimum but leaving one roster spot open. While that space could be used on a young prospect or a veteran flier such as Ben Simmons, MassLive’s Brian Robb reports the organization is leaning toward leaving it vacant.
Preserving that flexibility would maximize tax savings during what projects to be a transitional season for the team, though it also raises the bar for Harper or any other camp invitee hoping to secure the final spot.
