John Tonje is officially headed to Rip City on a two-way deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, and honestly, after what we saw him do in Vegas, it’s a move everyone should be watching. This guy absolutely balled out, proving he’s got the game to make noise in the league, even if his former team couldn’t make room.
Vegas Fire Ignites a New Path
Tonje came into Summer League with something fierce to prove. He was on a mission to show the entire NBA world exactly what he’s capable of, and over five games with the Summer C’s, he did just that. Averaging a scorching 14.8 points per outing in Las Vegas, he was a huge reason for Boston’s winning 3-2 record during that short, intense span. We’re talking serious efficiency here too: Tonje shot an insane 51 percent from the field and a ridiculous 45 percent from beyond the arc. He wasn’t shy either, putting up the fourth-most field goal attempts of any player on that Summer Celtics squad. That kind of undeniable performance screams “take notice,” and other teams definitely did.
Boston’s Crowded House
So, with all that fire, why wasn’t his stellar play enough to lock down a spot with Boston? It’s a brutal reality of the NBA: sometimes, even when you deliver, the numbers just don’t add up on the roster. Tonje already had six regular-season games under his belt for the Celtics last season, but the depth chart was just ridiculously stacked. Guys like Ron Harper Jr., Hugo Gonzalez, and Baylor Scheierman were already ahead of him in the pecking order. And if that wasn’t enough, the Celtics did something they’d only done once before in the last five years: they drafted *two* players, rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell, and didn’t part ways with either. That’s a serious roster crunch right there, leaving precious few openings for a talented guard like Tonje, no matter how much he dominated the Summer League circuit.
Rip City Gets a Scrapper
Now, the 25-year-old former 2025 second-round pick is taking his talents to Portland, and honestly, it feels like a steal for the Trail Blazers. This two-way contract, reported by ESPN insider Shams Charania, means Tonje gets to tear it up with the Rip City Remix in the G League, building his game and staying sharp. But the real kicker? He’s got a clear path to the pros. If Blazers guards like Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson, or Ja Morant need rest, or worse, get hit with injuries, Tonje is right there, ready for an occasional shot at the big time. He’s proven he can light it up when given the opportunity, and Portland is banking on that potential. The Celtics might still have a few two-way contracts to sort out, but Tonje isn’t waiting around for them. He’s earning his future, and it’s happening in Portland.
This is a prime example of a player forcing his way into the conversation. It’s a tough break that the Celtics couldn’t keep him, but a huge, well-deserved opportunity for Tonje. Blazers fans should be pumped to get a guy who fought this hard for his spot. Keep those eyes peeled on Portland, because John Tonje just might be the kind of gritty scorer who can make a real difference when his number gets called. He’s earned it, and now he gets to prove it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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