RADIO
Celtics Keep Ron Harper Jr. on $9 Million Contract
Boston Celtics forward Ron Harper Jr. intends to sign a new three-year, $9 million deal with the franchise, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Celtics are declining his $2.6 million team option for 2026-27 to create the longer agreement. Harper appeared in 29 games with three starts last season, averaging 4.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. The 26-year-old brings cheap wing depth behind Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Sam Hauser, but he would likely need injuries or a roster shakeup to move beyond a low-minute reserve role. His G League production with Maine, where he averaged 24.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, keeps him more interesting as a developmental depth piece than a draft-day fantasy target.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jaylen Brown Sits at the Center of Boston's Giannis Pursuit
Milwaukee is expected to seek clarity on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes before or around Tuesday's draft, with Boston emerging as a major threat to Miami, The Athletic's Sam Amick reports. Any Celtics offer for the two-time MVP would likely have to start with Jaylen Brown plus significant draft compensation, potentially including up to three first-round picks. Brown is coming off a career year, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists as Boston's lead option during Jayson Tatum's absence. A move to Milwaukee could lift Brown's usage as a centerpiece, while Giannis would remain an elite fantasy anchor anywhere, even if paired with a healthy Tatum. If Boston whiffs, the Celtics are among the teams eyeing Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, the breakout name here after career highs of 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 37.9 percent from three.
Source: Sam
Source: Sam
