Boston Celtics sign new trade addition to another two-way contract

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Boston Celtics sign new trade addition to another two-way contract

Brian Robb · MassLive

Sun, Mar 1, 2026 ·

2 min read

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The Celtics filled their final two-way contract slot with a familiar face on Sunday, signing rookie John Tonje to a deal. Tonje had previously been on a 10-day contract that expired on Saturday, making him a free agent briefly. However, the team moved quickly to bring Tonje back on a two-way deal after using him to cheaply fill a 15-man roster spot briefly.

The Celtics originally acquired Tonje from the Utah Jazz as a two-way player at the trade deadline in exchange for Chris Boucher and a second-round pick. Boston ended up converting Tonje's deal to a 10-day contract after the All-Star Break as the team was required to get back to 14 roster spots on the main roster. Now, Tonje will likely be back with Boston as a two-way player for the remainder of the season.

The Celtics currently now have two open roster slots after Tonje and Dalano Banton 's 10-day contracts expired. However, they will not need to fill those spots under league rules until March 14.

Tonje, 24, was the 53rd overall pick by the Jazz in the 2025 NBA Draft after playing six seasons in college including an All-American campaign at Wisconsin. He made his NBA debut on Tuesday in a blowout win over the Suns and has enjoyed his experience with the Celtics so far.

"It's been great," Tonje told MassLive of playing in Boston. "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."

Tonje spent the majority of the season in the G-League, averaging 18.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 32 games for the Salt Lake City Stars. He will now spent the rest of the regular season splitting time between Boston and the Maine Celtics.

"Overall improvement," Tonje said of his focus moving forward. "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."

Tonje joins Max Shulga and Ron Harper Jr. as Boston's three two-way players. The deadline to sign players to a two-way contract this season is March 4.

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