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The Boston Celtics have made a contract decision involving one of their two-way players. Luckily for rookie Max Shulga, he was the player who got his first standard contract.

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, Shulga signed a two-year contract with the Celtics on Saturday. Boston got the young guard in the second round of the 2025 draft, acquiring him from the Orlando Magic.

“The Boston Celtics are signing two-way forward Max Shulga to a standard two-year contract. The Ukrainian guard went to Boston with the No. 57 pick in last June’s NBA draft and has spent the season with Maine in the G League,” Charania wrote, sources told ESPN.

Shulga has made cameos in his rookie season, appearing in three games in which he played 1.7 minutes per contest. He attempted only one shot in that limited time and committed two fouls.

The Boston Celtics are signing two-way forward Max Shulga to a standard two-year contract, sources tell ESPN. The Ukrainian guard went to Boston with the No. 57 pick in last June’s NBA draft and has spent the season with Maine in the G League. pic.twitter.com/5eMzxLS8VO

– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 15 March 2026

What’s next for the Celtics after the latest signing?

This is great news for Max Shulga signing his first non-two-way contract as he now earns a higher salary with the Celtics. This allows him to gain a roster spot because it now paves the way for another player to take the open two-way spot.

Shulga played five seasons throughout his collegiate career, representing Utah State and VCU. He enjoyed his best years in his later years, transforming into an elite sharpshooter as he helped the Rams reach the NCAA Tournament in his final season. He averaged 15 points, 5.9 rebounds and four assists on 38.7% shooting from deep in the 2024–25 NCAA season.

Boston compiled a 44–23 record on the season and finished second in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers while trailing the Detroit Pistons.

After Saturday’s win over the Washington Wizards, the Celtics will look forward to their next matchup. They will be at home when they host the Phoenix Suns on March 16 at 7:30 pm ET.

After spending several years on an NBA roster on a two-way contract, the Indiana Pacers rewarded Quenton Jackson by signing Quenton Jackson to a standard three-year deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Jackson began the season on a two-way contract with the Pacers and the team was impressed with his performance.

With the signing of Quenton Jackson to a regular contract, the Pacers’ roster has now reached 15 standard contracts. The team now has an open two-way contract space, with rookie forward Taillon Peters and second-year guard Ethan Thompson also on two-way contracts.

Jackson has played a key role for the Pacers this season, appearing in a career-best 30 games, including 10 starts, in just over 17 minutes per game. He averaged career-highs of 9.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while splitting 48.9 percent shooting from the field, 40.5 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 81 percent shooting from the free-throw line. His field goal percentage and 3-point percentage are also career highs.

After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jackson signed with the Washington Wizards during training camp. He did not make the final roster, but later returned to the team on a two-way contract for the 2022–23 season. Jackson’s next stop in the NBA was with the Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2023–24 season, but he was waived before the start of the year.

He was playing in the G League when the Pacers first signed him to a two-way contract during the second half of the 2023–24 season. The Pacers re-signed him to a two-way contract later that year, and he has been with the team ever since.

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Wednesday that they have signed guard Jules Bernard to a two-way contract. As per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed. Bernard will remain with Minnesota’s NBA G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, where he has been one of the league’s most productive guards this season.

In 37 G League appearances (33 starts), Bernard is averaging 22.5 points while playing 34.5 minutes per game. He’s shooting 42.5% to 42.9% from the field, 34.9% to 35.3% from three-point range, and 80.1% to 80.6% from the free-throw line. His all-around production included 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The 26-year-old has scored 30 points six times, including a season-high 38 points against the Long Island Nets on January 18. On February 7, he recorded 30 points with eight three-pointers, along with season highs of 13 rebounds and 13 assists in a 123–120 win over the Maine Celtics.

Bernard previously signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards through the 2023–24 season, in which he appeared in 19 games for a total of 149 minutes. He averaged 3.9 points on 45.3% shooting, including 37.9% from three, and 1.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. He made his NBA debut on December 8, 2023 in a 124–97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

Undrafted out of the UCLA Bruins in 2022, the Los Angeles native played four collegiate seasons, appearing in 130 games (65 starts) and posting career averages of 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.4 minutes per game, while shooting 43.0% from the field and 35.4% from three. As a senior in 2021–22, he averaged 12.8 points and 4.7 rebounds and earned Pac-12 All-Tournament Team honors.

The Timberwolves had a two-way slot open after waiving Johnny Juzang. Bernard is eligible to remain active for up to 14 NBA games for the remainder of the regular season and will need promotion to the standard 15-man roster to qualify for postseason play.

Paolo Banchero capped the Orlando Magic’s four-game Western Conference road trip with a 36-point performance in a 110-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, but his impact extended beyond scoring. In consecutive matchups against Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic, Banchero took over the primary defensive duties, highlighting his ability as an elite two-way player.

Wendell Carter Jr., who recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes – including the game-winning putback – praised Banchero’s defensive focus and competitiveness.

“Man, when P gets locked in defensively he’s one of the best in this league. In my opinion he has the potential to be one of the best two-way players to play this game. He had two big challenges the other night with Kawhi and then tonight with Luka. He accepted that challenge. When he’s in that mode, when he’s locked in, man, it unlocks his team and takes us to another level.”

On Sunday, Leonard scored 37 points against Orlando, adding eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, while shooting 14 of 25 from the field. Two nights later, Doncic faced a more disruptive defensive presence from the Magic. The Lakers star finished with 22 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds, but shot 8-for-24 from the field and 2-for-10 from 3-point range while committing two turnovers.

Wendell Carter Jr. on Paolo Banchero’s defense this season:

“When P is off defensively, he’s one of the best in this league. He has the potential to be one of the best two-way players ever…When he’s in that mode, it takes us to another level.” pic.twitter.com/qHDu8BIgJ6

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 25 February 2026

Paolo Banchero accepts the challenge of protecting elite scorers

Banchero addressed the defensive responsibility of protecting leading scorers throughout the league.

“Yeah, I think it’s just me, you know, accepting the challenge. You know, I think a lot of times, you know, coaches want to, you know, have some better players to guard a guy. They don’t have to expend as much energy. But, you know, getting Jalen out, Franz out, they’re our two best perimeter defenders. And so I know I’ve got to step up on that side of the ball. And I’m a big I feel like I’m a good defender, especially on one on, guarding big guys, big guards.”

He acknowledged the difficulty of controlling the stars but emphasized effort and physicality.

Paolo on defending Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic in the last two games:

“With Jalen and Franz out, I know I have to step up. I’m a big guy, I can step up. You can’t stop guys like that, but you can be tough on them – make them miss some, force them to work.” pic.twitter.com/HMurC2OMrI

– Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) 25 February 2026

“And so guarding guys like that, you can’t stop them from scoring, but you can get your heart on them, make them miss some shots, just make them expend a lot of energy. So that’s just what I’m trying to do. Kawhi obviously had a big night, but getting some stops and making it difficult and, you know, seeing him as a great player and just a creator with the ball in his hands, you know, he just Know what my body is trying to show you, be there when it’s trying to show off, pretend.

Banchero’s offensive output remained steady. Against the Lakers, he added 10 rebounds and six assists while shooting 12 of 22 from the field and 10 of 11 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes.

Magic cover Luka Doncic as Banchero delivers late against Lakers

Head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the collective challenge of defending Doncic while highlighting Banchero’s timely shot making.

“Listen, sometimes when he shoots, you just have to hope it doesn’t go in. Because he’s so good and when the game was on the line, he took the big three that put them up by three. And Paolo comes back and hits one. As soon as he goes up in a corner, you know it’s good because that’s what he did. I’ve seen him do it. He did it when we were in Dallas when we played in Portland. I did the same thing. Saw the perfect shot. So you just have to keep mixing up the coverages against him, make it tough, try your best to make it without fouls, and just keep making it tough against him.”

Orlando limited Doncic’s efficiency, holding him below his season average of 32.5 points. With the win, the Magic improved to 31–26 and had road wins over both Los Angeles teams in the same season for the first time since 2012–13.

The Magic return home on Thursday to begin a four-game homestand against the Houston Rockets (35-21). As Orlando continues its push into the Eastern Conference standings, Banchero’s willingness to defend elite scorers while carrying the offensive load underscores the franchise cornerstone’s growing two-way ceiling.

The Philadelphia 76ers officially signed guard Tyrese Martin to a two-way contract on Thursday, the team announced in a press release. President of basketball operations Daryl Morey confirmed the move as the Sixers continue to restructure their roster following the All-Star break.

The 26-year-old Martin began the season with the Brooklyn Nets and appeared in 37 games with six starts. He averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 18.8 minutes per game while shooting 39.2% from the field. He scored in double figures 12 times, including a season-high 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting and 5-of-9 from three-point range against the Toronto Raptors on November 23. After meeting the guarantee deadline of his January contract and securing his entire $2.2 million salary, Martin was waived on February 5 to make roster space for Brooklyn’s trade for Hunter Tyson.

Over the past two seasons with the Nets, Martin played in 97 games, making 17 starts, and averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 20.7 minutes per game, while shooting 34.6% from beyond the arc. For his three-year NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn, he has appeared in 113 games, averaging 7.2 points on 40.1% shooting as well as 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He has six 20-point performances in his career, including a 30-point outing with eight three-pointers against the Phoenix Suns on November 27, 2024.

Originally selected 51st overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, the Allentown, Pennsylvania native has also performed in the G League. In 72 games with the Atlanta Skyhawks, Iowa Wolves and Long Island Nets, Martin averaged 17.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32.8 minutes, recording 25 double-doubles and 21 games of at least 20 points, including five 30-point attempts and one 40-point game.

Martin filled Philadelphia’s open two-way spot with Marjon Beauchamp and Delon Terry after Jabari Walker was promoted to the 15-man roster.

The 76ers entered the stretch run with a score of 30–25, sixth in the Eastern Conference, avoiding the play-in tournament. With Paul George serving a 25-game suspension, Martin has added depth to the backcourt as the Sixers head toward the postseason.

The Denver Nuggets continue to make adjustments to their rotation in the midst of another postseason push. The latest move comes in the form of former Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson, who has joined on a two-way contract.

According to Shams Charania, Simpson’s two-way contract replaces Spencer Jones, who was previously converted to a standard contract and will become a restricted free agent in the summer.

The Nuggets are planning to sign former Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson to a two-way NBA deal, sources tell ESPN. Simpson averaged 7.3 points and 21.3 minutes in 50 games over a season and a half in Charlotte. He replaces Spencer Jones after Jones was converted to a standard deal. https://t.co/X4ZUkcGzzA

– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 19 February 2026

Jones’ promotion was largely procedural but also performance-earned. The 24-year-old has emerged as a reliable rotation wing while battling injuries, starting 34 of 46 games while averaging 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 23.6 minutes per game.

His 41.4% 3-point shooting and 50.5% overall field goal percentage have made him an underutilized but highly functional spacer in Denver’s offense. More importantly, Jones’ defensive impact means he ranks 24th in defensive rating (118.1).

Nuggets ready to sign former Hornets guard KJ Simpson to two-way NBA contract @shamscharania. pic.twitter.com/IMZHp1SlZk

– ClutchPoints NBA (@ClutchPointsNBA) 19 February 2026

Contract conversion also solves the roster compliance issue. Denver had dropped to 13 standard contracts following the Hunter Tyson trade, making Jones’ promotion the simplest way to meet the league’s 14-player minimum.

The Nuggets still retain an open roster spot, with Jones’ current deal also allowing the franchise to make some significant financial changes. Denver is already projected to have over $200 million in salary commitments next season and looks to add some much-needed depth.

Jones began the year on a two-way contract, which typically leads to a lower qualifying offer after conversion to a standard deal. However, since he has already started 34 games, the 24-year-old is close to reaching the league’s starting cap.

Simpson averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 21.3 minutes in 50 NBA games with Charlotte before being waived. His G-League production has been remarkably strong, posting 18.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists with Greensboro, indicating considerable offensive potential.

Selected 42nd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Simpson has not appeared in a single game for the Hornets since the start of the campaign and will be eager to get his first taste of NBA action in the current campaign.

The Denver Nuggets made a move on forward Spencer Jones just before NBA action resumed following the All-Star break.

The Nuggets needed enough players to meet the minimum player requirement on the roster, so the decision was made to convert Jones’ two-way deal into a standard contract for the remainder of the 2025–26 NBA season, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reports.

“The Nuggets are converting two-way forward Spencer Jones to a standard contract,” Siegel, formerly of the Ax, wrote in a social media post on Twitter.

It’s also worth noting that the 24-year-old Jones had already exceeded his limit of 50 games for a two-way player in the league.

Now that he is already guaranteed a roster spot for the remainder of the campaign, he simply needs to recover from his injury to return to active status. The former Stanford Cardinal player missed the Nuggets’ final three games before the break, although Denver managed to win two of those contests, including a 122–116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 11.

Signed by the Nuggets to a two-way deal as an undrafted contract through 2024, Jones has averaged 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds through 46 games this season. He has been quite dangerous from behind the 3-point line, where he is hitting downshots at a 41.1 percent success rate on 2.5 attempts from deep outings.

The Nuggets begin a three-game road trip after the break this Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with Jones expected to be in the lineup.

The Philadelphia 76ers signed their two-way forward Jabari Walker to a two-year contract. While 76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey helped the Team USA Stars win the All-Star Game, Walker was on the verge of securing a new deal that will keep him with Philly for at least one more season.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Walker agreed to a two-year deal with the Sixers.

Sources told ESPN, “The Philadelphia 76ers intend to sign Jabari Walker to a new two-year contract. The 76ers and Rich Paul and Anthony Fields of Klutch Sports negotiated the new deal for Walker, who earned a rotation role after maxing out the games allowed on his two-way deal,” Charania reported.

Charania said, shortly after Walker’s new deal was announced, Cam Payne secured a deal for the remainder of the season.

“The 76ers plan to sign Walker to a new two-year deal and veteran guard Cam Payne to a new deal for the remainder of the season in the coming days,” Charania said. “Payne to spend part of 2023-24 season with 76ers.”

VJ Edgecombe’s championship aspirations with the 76ers

76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe won the MVP award in the Rising Stars Game during All-Star weekend. Edgecombe won the award unanimously after scoring 23 points over two games, leading Team Vince past Team Melo in the finals.

Edgecombe also made another announcement trophy he would love to win For the 76ers.

“It feels so good, man. It feels so good, baby. For Philly, baby,” Edgecombe declared. “You know, hopefully that championship at Rising Stars will be the first championship I get this season.”

The Sixers continue their regular season schedule when they host the Hawks on Thursday.