Ron Harper Jr. is coming into the following section of his NBA profession with one thing he had been chasing since going undrafted in 2022: stability.
After transferring between Toronto, Detroit and the G League by means of two-way contracts, Exhibit 10 offers and quick NBA alternatives, Harper has earned a longer-term dedication from the Boston Celtics. The Celtics signed him to a four-year contract price as much as $13.7 million, with $6.5 million assured.
“It’s nice. You already know, being a man that type of bounced round his first couple years, to lastly discover a dwelling with one of the crucial well-respected organizations within the league,” Harper informed Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. “It’s a pleasure. Very enthusiastic about it, very pleased to be there.”
Harper’s breakthrough got here through the 2025-26 season, when he appeared in 29 video games for Boston and averaged 4.2 factors and 1.7 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per recreation. He shot 41.8% from the sphere and 35.0% from three-point vary, whereas making three begins.
The contract offers Harper a possibility to proceed creating inside a Celtics crew that underwent important adjustments through the offseason. Boston traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and draft compensation because the franchise sought to keep away from the second apron and create extra monetary flexibility.
George will even have a private connection to Harper’s new scenario. Harper wore No. 13 in Boston, however gave the quantity to George after the veteran arrived from Philadelphia.
“We got here to a mutual settlement. In order that helped each of us out,” Harper stated. “He bought to have the quantity, and I bought to have summer season. So, shout out PG!”
Harper stated he’s significantly enthusiastic about studying from George, who has spent greater than a decade within the NBA and has been chosen to eight All-Star Video games.
“I’m very excited to play with PG, study from him,” Harper stated. “I’m simply actually excited to have a vet that’s, you already know, been by means of what he’s been by means of.”
Harper additionally mirrored on his early basketball reminiscences, which got here from being round his father, Ron Harper Sr., throughout his time with the Detroit Pistons. He remembered watching Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen compete in opposition to Detroit stars reminiscent of Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton.
That surroundings formed how Harper views crew basketball.
“They knew learn how to play, and irrespective of whose evening it was, you already know, they have been all supportive of one another,” Harper stated. “And I really feel like that confirmed me learn how to play the sport the proper approach.”
Harper will even miss Brown, who performed an essential function in his improvement throughout his time in Boston.
“He nonetheless trusted me once I was an Exhibit 10 participant in Boston,” Harper stated. “His steering and his phrases of encouragement, I actually preferred. It meant lots to me.”
Harper credited Brown not solely with serving to him on the courtroom but additionally with demonstrating how an NBA participant can use his platform away from basketball.
“I really feel like one of the best factor he confirmed me is learn how to use your platform to deal with your neighborhood,” Harper stated.
Boston completed the 2025-26 common season 56-26, second within the Jap Convention, earlier than losing to Philadelphia in seven games in the first round. With Brown gone and George taking his place, Harper now has one other alternative to ascertain himself as a part of a reconfigured Celtics rotation.
