The Detroit Pistons just quietly let Ron Harper Jr. walk in free agency, as he just signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Boston Celtics (presumably for training camp and the preseason). After beginning the season with the Maine Celtics, the Pistons signed Harper to a two-way contract.
Harper played well in the G League last season with both Maine and the Motor City Cruise. In 38 games spent with both clubs, Harper played 28.9 minutes per contest. He averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 44.5% from the floor and 38.5% from beyond the three-point line.
Now, Harper will be back with the Celtics, and the Pistons have some decisions to make.
What is next for Pistons after Ron Harper Jr.?
Harper Jr. is yet another failure for the Pistons. Up to this point, they have struggled to hit on two-way contracts as much as other teams around the NBA. It’s been a rough spot in their organization.
Last season, they had Harper, Tolu Smith, and Daniss Jenkins on two-ways. As of now, Smith and Jenkins are slated to be back, while Colby Jones will replace Harper next year.
During the 2023-24 season, they had Jared Rhoden, Tosan Evbuomwan, and Buddy Boeheim. Before that, there were Braxton Key and Jamorko Pickett. Saben Lee and Frank Jackson. Louis King and Jordan Bone. Isaiah Whitehead, Kalin Lucas, Zach Lofton, and Keenan Evans. Reggie Hearn and Kay Felder.
Every single two-way player the Pistons have ever had under contract has flamed out. There are no success stories when it comes to Detroit’s two-way selections.
The Los Angeles Lakers found Austin Reaves. The Oklahoma City Thunder found Lu Dort. The Miami Heat found Duncan Robinson. There’s Alex Caruso, Sam Hauser, Naz Reid and Caleb Martin.
Two-way contract slots are very clearly a place where the Pistons need to improve. Harper didn’t pan out, and now he’s in Boston, but Detroit will keep trying.
And now, as they look to build championship-caliber rosters around Cade Cunningham year in and year out, it will be more important than ever for the Pistons to hit on players who fly under the radar.
That’s how good teams become great teams. They identify talent that other organizations around the league have failed to see.
If the Pistons can do that consistently, they’ll be in great shape. But for now, they’ll be back to the drawing board in regard to their two-way contracts.