Ron Harper Jr. is one of those fringe talents in the NBA whose consistency only seems to grow. After going undrafted in 2022, the former Rutgers standout has been bouncing between the G League and short NBA stints.

The 25-year-old guard spent the past two training camps with the Boston Celtics and played for their G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, during the first part of last season. He later joined the Detroit Pistons on a two-way deal. However, despite making a strong impression in the G League, including a standout game where he drained 11 three-pointers, the Pistons released him at the end of the season.

Now, he was picked by a team with whom he has spent the last two pre-seasons. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Harper Jr. has officially signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. “The Boston Celtics are signing Ron Harper Jr. to a two-way NBA contract, agent Drew Gross of WME Basketball tells ESPN. Harper earns Celtics roster spot and enters a fourth NBA season after having strong preseason.”, he wrote on X.

As the Celtics navigate the early part of the season without Jayson Tatum and look to solidify their depth, Harper Jr.’s blend of size and improved perimeter shooting gives him a real chance in a roster filled with opportunity. “Being here last year, I feel like it helped me gain a grasp of the system a little better, a little faster,” Harper Jr. said. “So, I feel like I was a step ahead in that aspect.”

And the coaches believe in him. “He’s been great,” Joe Mazzulla said last week. “His professionalism has been great. His basketball IQ has really improved. He’s shooting the ball really well.”

Now he has a year filled with new challenges and an exciting opportunity with a new contract. Let’s take a look at how it is going to unfold for the young gun.

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Detailed breakdown of Ron Harper Jr.’s two-way contract

Ron Harper Jr. has signed a one-year, $2,378,870 contract with the Boston Celtics. The structure of the deal as a two-way contract carries an average annual salary of $2,378,870, which aligns with the league’s minimum salary terms. In 2025-26, Harper Jr. will earn a base salary of $2,378,870. He will then become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in 2026.

Contract Terms:

• Length: 1 year / $2,378,870

• Average Salary: $2,378,870

• Guaranteed: —

• Signed Using: Minimum

• Free Agent: 2026 / UFA

The contract finalizes a story that was nearly derailed by injury. In the fall, Harper Jr. was still recovering from a torn labrum that had ended his 2023–24 season early. Even though he got medical clearance to play for the Celtics in the 2024 Summer League, he wasn’t fully back to form as he continued to bounce back from the shoulder injury.

“A big part of the game is psychological,” Harper Jr. told CelticsBlog on Friday. “Last year, I was still dealing with that kind of stuff. I feel like now I’m a lot more confident in the capabilities of my body, and my shoulder, especially.”

His resilience truly paid off. This time, he made the most of it, outperforming fellow hopefuls like Kendall Brown and Jalen Bridges, with his improved shooting consistency and defensive effort.

Significance of this contract for Ron Harper Jr.

The 6-foot-6 forward entered Celtics camp on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal, which will be converted into a two-way contract on Monday. He is the son of former NBA guard Ron Harper Sr. and the older brother of No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper. He has logged 11 NBA appearances over three seasons while spending most of his time in the G League, Something that caught Boston’s eye.

Over three preseason appearances, Harper logged 32 minutes, shooting 4-for-10 overall and 3-for-7 from deep, while adding three assists, two offensive boards, a block, and a steal. His ability to slot alongside the Celtics’ regulars helped solidify his case.

Harper’s signing carries additional weight because this marks his final season of two-way eligibility. For the Celtics, this is a low-cost investment in a player who knows their system and brings proven G League production. For Harper, it’s a last chance to graduate from the margins into a full-time NBA role. We have already seen how Boston has handled recent two-way players like JD Davison and Drew Peterson; the blueprint for that leap is already in place.

Ron Harper Jr.’s recent performance and prospects

Over the 2024-25 G League season, Harper’s performance has not gone unnoticed. He delivered a strong production that helped keep him on NBA radars. Across stints with the Motor City Cruise and Maine Celtics, he averaged 18.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

He also had a signature night in February when he set a Cruise franchise record by knocking down 11 threes (in 18 attempts) in a 145-132 win over the Long Island Nets. He has shown scoring range and aggression in multiple game logs. For example, on March 21, 2025, he poured in 19 points (5-of-11 FG, 2-of-7 3PT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in 40 minutes.

His preseason with Boston can be considered a trailer of what he could bring to the NBA level. Over only three appearances, Harper logged 32 total minutes, more than several fellow camp candidates. While his NBA regular-season track record is still small, only 11 career games across 2022-25. He’s done enough to show it to the right people.

Ultimately, his G League success + preseason flashes suggest Harper could be a low-risk, high-rewarding rotation piece for Boston.