Ron Harper Jr. Reportedly Lands New Celtics Contract, Updated Roster, Salary Cap for NBA FA

Amid all of the focus on Jaylen Brown's future, the Boston Celtics took care of other business before the start of free agency by agreeing to a new contract with Ron Harper Jr.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Celtics are declining Harper's $2.6 million team option for next season to give him a three-year, $9 million deal that ties him to the club through the 2028-29 campaign.

The Celtics entered the day $67.2 million over the salary cap, but they were $21.3 million under the first apron.

Before knowing the exact breakdown of Harper's contract, it's safe to assume his 2026-27 salary won't be dramatically different from what he would have earned on his option that it significantly impacts the Celtics' flexibility.

Updated Celtics Roster (via Spotrac)

PG: Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Dalano Banton

SG: Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., Jordan Walsh, Max Shulga

SF: Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Hugo Gonzalez

PF: Jayson Tatum

C: Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Amari Williams

Harper has worked his way into being a quality role player in the NBA after going undrafted in 2022.

The Toronto Raptors signed Harper to a two-way contract in July 2022. He spent most of his rookie season with the Raptors 905 in the G League, though he did get into nine games with the NBA club.

Harper originally joined the Celtics for Summer League in 2024 before signing a non-guaranteed deal for training camp in July 2024. He opened the 2024-25 season with the Maine Celtics and appeared in four games.

The Detroit Pistons signed Harper away from the Celtics on a two-way contract in January 2025.

After finishing out the 2024-25 season with the Pistons organization, Harper went back to Boston on a training camp contract. His deal was converted to a two-way contract prior to the start of last season.

Harper has shown strong offensive ability during his time in the G League. The Rutgers alum averaged 18.4 points on 46.5 percent shooting (38.0 percent from three) in 67 games with three different clubs over the past three seasons.

The 2025-26 season saw Harper appear in a career-high 29 games at the NBA level with the Celtics. He averaged 4.2 points per contest in limited minutes primarily off the bench, though he did make three starts.

This new multiyear agreement suggests Harper could be in line for a bigger role in head coach Joe Mazzulla's system next season.

The Celtics have a strong history of player development, with Harper getting the runway now to potentially join that list as he prepares for the 2026-27 season without having to worry about where he will be playing.