The Boston Celtics are making a significant roster move, promoting two-way guard Max Shulga to their standard 15-man roster. This transition from a two-way contract, which allows players to split time between the NBA and the G League, to a full NBA roster spot signifies a key step in Shulga’s development and the team’s strategic roster management. Shulga was originally selected by Boston as the 57th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and inked a two-way deal last July.
The 6-foot-4 guard will now occupy one of the open roster spots that became available following the Celtics’ trade deadline activity. The team moved Josh Minott, Chris Boucher, and Xavier Tillman, creating these openings. Adding Shulga helps solidify the roster, bringing it back to the minimum required 14 players. This move also coincides with the Celtics agreeing to a 10-day contract with center Charles Bassey.
The Celtics intentionally left roster spots vacant in the preceding two weeks. This strategy was primarily driven by salary cap considerations, aiming for savings that would help the team remain under the luxury tax threshold for the current season. These cost-cutting measures at the trade deadline, coupled with the economical signing of Shulga, are crucial for Boston’s financial planning.
Shulga’s new agreement is reportedly a two-year deal, though the second year is non-guaranteed. His cap hit for the remainder of the 2025-26 season is notably low, at just $219,460. This affordability was a major factor in Boston’s decision to elevate him to the 15-man roster. This low cost allows the Celtics to add depth to their backcourt without significantly impacting their luxury tax status.
During his time on a two-way contract this season, Shulga has seen action in four NBA games for the Celtics. However, he has spent the majority of his playing time with the Maine Celtics in the G League. In 22 appearances for the G League affiliate, the 23-year-old has demonstrated impressive offensive capabilities, averaging 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. His shooting efficiency from beyond the arc has been particularly noteworthy, as he is connecting on an impressive 39.9% of his three-point attempts.
Shulga’s collegiate career saw him play three seasons at Utah State before transferring to VCU for his final two years. His time at VCU culminated in him being named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year last season, and he was instrumental in leading the Rams to an NCAA Tournament berth.
With Shulga’s promotion, he joins Amari Williams as the second player drafted by the Celtics in last year’s second round to secure a standard NBA contract this season. Williams also made a positive impression during his limited minutes with the main club, earning his way onto the standard roster.
Celtics Rookies All on Standard Contracts
The integration of Shulga means that all three of the Celtics’ draft picks from last season are now signed to standard NBA contracts. This includes first-round selection Hugo Gonzalez, who has emerged as a pleasant surprise for the team. Despite being one of the youngest players in the league, Gonzalez has already shown potential as a contributor. While he is still considered a raw talent, there is considerable optimism surrounding his future development.
Roster Implications and Future Moves
The Celtics now have an open two-way contract slot. However, due to league rules, they are unable to fill this spot until the offseason. The deadline to sign a two-way player during the 2025-26 season was March 4th.
The team’s other two-way slots are currently occupied by Ron Harper Jr. and John Tonje. Tonje was acquired from the Utah Jazz as part of the trade that sent Chris Boucher to Boston. Harper Jr. has also shown promise during his G League season and could potentially earn a promotion ahead of the playoffs. Similar to past seasons, the Celtics are likely to wait until the end of the regular season to fill their 15th roster spot, again for cap management purposes. This approach allows them to maintain flexibility and optimize their financial situation.
