Celtics Signing Max Shulga To Standard Contract

Celtics two-way player Max Shulga will be promoted to a standard contract that runs through the end of next season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).

Sources tell Brian Robb of MassLive that the deal will be non-guaranteed for 2026/27. Shulga’s cap hit for the rest of the current season will be $219,460.

The Celtics have been using a 12-man roster over the past two weeks in their effort to remain below the luxury tax line. They’re about to reach the season maximum of 28 days to be below the 14-man roster limit, so two additions have to be made by Sunday. A report earlier today stated that free agent big man Charles Bassey will be signed to a 10-day contract.

Promoting Shulga is advantageous for financial reasons because his rookie minimum salary won’t be subject to “tax variance.” That amount is much smaller than the prorated two-year veteran minimum that would have been imposed if the Celtics had signed a free agent. Boston is projected to be able to add a 15th player on the final day of the regular season without going into tax territory.

The 23-year-old Ukrainian guard signed a two-way deal in July after being selected with the 57th pick in last year’s draft. He has made brief appearances in three NBA games and has spent most of the season with the G League’s Maine Celtics, where’s he’s averaging 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 23 regular season contests.