The Boston Celtics have signed Ron Harper Jr. to an Exhibit 10 contract, likely bringing him on board for training camp and the preseason. Harper began the 2024-25 campaign with the Maine Celtics before inking a two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons, where he spent most of his time with the Motor City Cruise.
Harper appeared in 38 games (15 in Maine and 23 with the Cruise), playing 28.9 minutes per contest. He averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 44.5 % from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc on 8.0 three-point attempts per game.
Now, Harper will be back in the Celtics’ stratosphere with a direct pathway to joining Maine again.
How can Ron Harper Jr. help the Celtics?
Harper is in a very weird spot with the Celtics. By signing an Exhibit 10 contract, he has an incentive to spend some time with their G League affiliate, which will now be coached by Phil Pressey.
Unfortunately for Harper, there aren’t any two-way spots open with the Celtics, or else that would be a good goal for him to chase. Those slots are taken up by three rookies: Max Shulga, Amari Williams, and RJ Luis Jr.
Boston drafted Shulga and Williams in the second round of this year’s draft, and they traded for Luis in the deal that sent Georges Niang and second-round draft capital to the Utah Jazz.
During his time in Maine last year, Harper was solid, especially during the regular season. In his four games with them after the Showcase Cup (during the regular season), Harper averaged 22.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 50.0% from the field and 42.5% from deep on 10.0 three-point attempts per game.
JD Davison is no longer with Maine. He signed a two-way deal with the Houston Rockets this summer. Shulga is poised to run the show in Portland, but he’ll need a backcourt partner.
Harper can fill that role beautifully, and if the Celtics really want to keep him around, they have the 15th roster spot available for use. At the very least, having Harper around for training camp will give the team another close look at him.
And the best-case scenario is that Maine will have another solid ball-handler on their roster during Pressey’s first season at the helm. That’s a win-win for everyone involved: The Celtics get some help, and Harper gets to keep putting his talent on display.