Coming into the day, the Celtics only had 12 players on the roster, two below the league minimum. Thursday marked 14 days since the trade deadline, when the Cs fell below 14, meaning they’ve reached the deadline to carry fewer than 14 players. They needed to make moves on Thursday, and that’s what they did.
First, Boston brought back an old friend, Dalano Banton, on a 10-day contract. Banton was with the team in the 2023-24 season, but was dealt to the Blazers at the deadline to create roster flexibility for the stretch run.
That team was simply too good for Banton to get run, but he showed some promise as a 6’8” point guard who could really pressure the rim. He has been playing with the Mavericks’ G League team for most of this season after bouncing around the league a little bit, but now he’s back in Boston, at least for the next 10 days.
The move allows the Celtics to spend as little money as possible, staying below the luxury tax, while bringing in a guy who already has familiarity with the team. His ball-handling, size, and ability to get to the cup will all make him a viable option for some bench minutes, and if Banton proves he can still play, he could be in line for another 10-day or a standard contract down the road.
Celtics sign Banton and Tonje to hit roster minimum
Banton became the 13th player on the roster, then the Celtics converted newly acquired John Tonje from a two-way to a 10-day contract. Tonje came over from Utah in the Chris Boucher trade a couple of weeks ago.
Tonje was first-team All-Big 10 last season before being drafted by the Jazz in the second round. The 6’4”, 24-year-old shooting guard can play a little and has already made waves in Maine, putting up 29 points and 4 rebounds, and 21 points and 7 rebounds in his two games with the Celtics’ G League squad.
Now he gets the nod for a 10-day deal to come up to the big club and try to make his mark. We’ve seen there is plenty of opportunity for 3&D wing types, and Tonje can certainly fit that mold, while doing a bit more.
Celtics kicking tires down the road
In reality, these roster moves are just formalities. Boston had to get up to 14 players, while staying as far below the tax as possible, something they accomplished with two 10-day minimum deals.
These pro-rated deals will likely expire in 10 days, which will put the Celtics back to having 12 players on the roster. By rule, they can go another 14 days under the 14-player minimum, then they must have a full 14 for the remainder of the season.
By that point, the season will be close enough to over that they can make moves with more finality. Perhaps Banton and Tonje get full contracts, perhaps they choose to reward a different two-way player like Ron Harper Jr. or Max Shulga, or perhaps they explore other options in the buyout market.
They’ll still have options, and that’s why these moves make sense. The Celtics have satisfied NBA rules, given themselves a couple of cheap fliers on talented young players, and done nothing to hinder any future moves. All in a solid day’s work.