Celtics sign Max Shulga to standard contract and Charles Bassey to 10-day contract The Boston Celtics have converted rookie Max Shulga’s two-way contract to a standard NBA deal and signed veteran center Charles Bassey to a 10-day contract, according to a league source. The moves are part of the team’s effort to remain under the luxury tax threshold, a strategy initiated after a series of February trades that reduced the roster to just 12 players. Teams are allowed to operate below the league minimum of 14 players for up to 14 days. Following the trades, the Celtics signed Dalano Banton and John Tonje to 10-day contracts. When those deals expired, another 14-day window passed before the team finalized the Shulga and Bassey signings. Shulga, a second-round pick in the 2025 draft, has spent most of the season with the Celtics’ G League affiliate in Maine. The team opted for a standard contract instead of retaining his two-way deal, which would have required a higher minimum salary. Ron Harper Jr., a two-way player who has seen significant playing time this season, was a more obvious choice from a basketball standpoint, but his salary as a fourth-year player would have pushed the Celtics over the luxury tax line. Bassey, who previously played for the 76ers and Grizzlies, joined the Celtics during the Las Vegas Summer League in July. His addition provides depth at the center position while allowing the team flexibility in managing payroll. The decisions reflect the Celtics’ ongoing focus on financial prudence, balancing roster depth with the need to stay within the tax threshold. The moves also open opportunities for younger players to gain experience in the NBA while minimizing long-term financial commitments.#boston_celtics #charles_bassey #max_shulga #ron_harper_jr #las_vegas_summer_league
