The Boston Celtics have spent nearly two weeks with only 12 players on standard NBA contracts. That's two below the minimum. They did the same maneuver after their series of moves at the trade deadline. The reason is the laser-point precision they're operating with to finish the league year below the luxury tax.
Teams are allowed to complete transactions that result in them carrying fewer than 14 players on standard contracts. They have 14 days to address that.
Capitalizing on that, Boston converted Amari Williams from a two-way deal to a standard arrangement on the day of the trade deadline. That brought the roster to 12, not including those still on two-way contracts. Fourteen days later, the organization converted one of those individuals, John Tonje, to a 10-day deal. The Celtics also brought back old friend Dalano Banton on the same terms.
When Tonje's 10-day deal expired, they signed him to another two-way deal. When Banton's did, the two sides parted ways. However, it's at least possible that they'll soon reunite.
However, a more predictable move is coming -- presumably, at least.
What's next for the Celtics?
Boston must field a roster featuring at least 14 players on standard contracts again by Mar. 14 at the latest. It's a safe bet that they won't act sooner than they have to. That speaks to how tight a needle they're trying to thread.
When Saturday arrives, they could bring back Banton or sign another veteran or intriguing G League talent to a 10-day deal. The easier move to forecast is signing Max Shulga to a 10-day pact.
The Celtics selected the former Atlantic-10 Player of the Year 57th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. In 23 regular-season games with Maine, the six-foot-four guard is averaging 16.4 points and knocking down 39.9 percent of the 6.4 threes he's hoisting. Shulga's also dishing out 7.1 assists, snagging 4.5 rebounds, and swiping 1.7 steals per contest.
When his 10-day deal expires, as with Tonje, what figures to happen is that Boston inks him to another two-way contract.
As for the third individual on a two-way arrangement with the Celtics, Ron Harper Jr., the most likely outcome is that they will convert his deal to a standard contract at the very end of the regular season. That way, his new agreement is only on their books for one regular-season contest. That contract conversion will also make him playoff-eligible.
Harper has fit in seamlessly and impressed at both ends of the floor. He registered a career-high 22 points in 33 minutes while competing against his brother, 2025 second-overall pick Dylan Harper, in Boston's 125-116 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.
When Harper's deal gets converted, expect it to be a multi-year contract that sets him up to remain with the Celtics beyond the current campaign.