Boston Celtics rookie makes NBA debut after trade deadline deal

Story by

Story by
Boston Celtics rookie makes NBA debut after trade deadline deal

Souichi Terada · MassLive

Thu, Feb 26, 2026 ·

3 min read

About Our Ads

DENVER — While Nikola Vucevic got most of the headlines following the Celtics ' trade deadline moves, the C's also added a rookie that week. Boston acquired rookie John Tonje from the Jazz as part of the Chris Boucher deal.

Tonje put up impressive numbers in Utah before landing with Boston for the rest of the season. The Celtics have excelled getting the most out of their two-way players, and Tonje will look to become the next developmental success story. Tonje got to make his NBA debut in the Celtics' blowout win over the Suns on Tuesday.

"The player development here is amazing," Tonje told MassLive. "Came here and instantly kind of set a plan. We've been getting after it ever since. I feel like I'm in a great place. Improving each day. Getting to know everyone, so it's been awesome."

Tonje, 24, spent six years in college, enjoying a breakout season as an All-American at Wisconsin. He was then picked 53rd overall by the Jazz last season. Tonje is an older rookie, but the Celtics have had success with guys like that. He averaged 18.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 32 total games for the Salt Lake City Stars in the G League this season.

Tonje said he was surprised to find out he got traded midway through his rookie season. But he understood the NBA is a business, and now he gets a chance to develop in Boston. Tonje was on a two-way contract, but he was signed to the standard roster on a 10-day contract last week.

"It's been great," Tonje said. "Trying to learn on the fly. Learn everything I can. It's been cool to be around the people in this program. A lot of high-character people, talent. I'm just really trying to make the most of it."

The Celtics have rounded out their roster with two-way guys over the past few seasons. Sam Hauser , Neemias Queta , Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh have all spent extended time in the G League in their careers. Two-way guard Ron Harper Jr. is looking like another solid find by the Celtics amid his own breakout season.

That player development has been a big reason why the Celtics are successful despite muted outside expectations going into the season. Queta is a legit NBA starter and he was plucked from the Kings with a two-way contract. Hauser is one of the best shooters in the world and contributed to the 2024 NBA title — he was an undrafted free agent.

So while Tonje has a ways to go before he can be the next guy, he'll get that chance in Boston.

"Overall improvement," Tonje said. "Offensively and defensively. Find a way to impact winning is the main thing. However that might look. It's different from game-to-game. Really just trying to impact winning."

More Celtics content