Feb. 19, 2026, 11:48 a.m. ET
The Boston Celtics will — at least for now — complete their roster with the addition of two way guard John Tonje. HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto relates that the Celtics will convert the two way guard to a full roster spot. This move gets the Celtics to the 14-man minimum for the next 10 days with Boston having also signed guard Dalano Banton to a 10-day deal earlier in the day.
Tonje was dealt to the Celtics in the trade that sent vet forward Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline to help Boston get under the luxury tax for this season and start the clock on removing the franchise from a repeater luxury tax status that significantly raises the cost of the team. Tonje has played for both the Maine Celtics and the Salt Lake City Stars (the Jazz’ developmental franchise at the G League level) this season, with the Stars his most recent stop.
In total, he averaged 18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and just under a steal per game while shooting 43.7% from the floor overall, 34.8% from beyond the arc, and 90.4% from the free throw line.
Don’t expect either Tonje or Banton to remain with the Celtics beyond the end of their respective 10-day deals due to their limited spending power under the luxury tax for the rest of the season.
But there will be more moves to come from Boston’s front office closer to the end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season as Boston gets to at least 14 players to finish their current campaign heading into the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
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