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Celtics Make Move to Bring in Former Pistons Player

The Boston Celtics have added an ex-Pistons player.
Justin Grasso|
Apr 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Ron Harper Jr. (13) before their game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Apr 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Ron Harper Jr. (13) before their game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Ron Harper Jr. has found his next team.

The former Detroit Pistons veteran will be joining the Boston Celtics, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

via @MikeAScotto: The Boston Celtics and Ron Harper Jr. have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype. He’s spent the past three NBA seasons with the Raptors and Pistons. The versatile wing surged last season with the Motor City Cruise shooting 39% from 3-point range.

Harper Jr. has been around the NBA since 2022. The New Jersey-born forward entered the league out of Rutgers and went undrafted at the 2022 NBA Draft.

He started his career as a two-way player with the Toronto Raptors. During his rookie season, Harper appeared in just nine games with the Raptors’ primary roster. He averaged five minutes of action, putting up just two points per game on 50 percent shooting.

In the following offseason, Harper signed a second two-way contract with the Raptors. Just a few months into the 2023-2024 NBA season, Harper was waived by the Raptors. He made just one appearance on the court throughout the year.

Ron Harper J
May 18, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Ron Harper Jr. participates during the NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

Last summer, Harper played for the Boston Celtics’ Summer League team. He was with the team through training camp, but didn’t make the opening night roster. As a result, Harper played for Boston’s G League squad in Maine.

Back in January, Harper linked with the Pistons on a two-way contract. He spent most of his time with the Motor City Cruise in the NBA G League, and saw the court for just one game with the Pistons. He played 17 minutes, scoring four points and coming down with seven rebounds.

Harper stuck with the Pistons for several months after the 2024-2025 NBA season. He was even representing them at the NBA Draft, while his brother was selected by the San Antonio Spurs.

However, Harper wasn’t in the Pistons’ long-term plans. The young veteran became a free agent this summer and he will look for another shot on the Celtics’ roster. It’s unclear what Harper’s deal with Boston looks like, but he’ll get a chance to make an impact during training camp and the preseason.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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