The 2026 NBA trade deadline came and went with its usual flurry of last-minute moves, and among them was a quietly intriguing deal that could turn into something more down the line. The Boston Celtics acquired former Wisconsin Badgers standout John Tonje from the Utah Jazz, sending veteran big man Chris Boucher the other way.
Now, Tonje isn’t a household name just yet-and that’s okay. He’s still waiting to log his first official NBA minute. But if you’ve been tracking his path, you know there’s more to this move than just a roster shuffle.
Drafted by Utah in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, Tonje signed a two-way deal and has spent the bulk of his rookie season with the G League’s Salt Lake City Stars. And he’s been putting in work.
Through 18 games, Tonje’s averaging 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. He’s shooting 43.9% from the field and hitting 35.4% of his threes on a healthy 6.5 attempts per night.
That’s not just volume-that’s confidence. And it’s coming from a guy who’s trying to prove he belongs.
Boston wasted no time welcoming him to the fold, posting a short message on social media to mark his arrival. It was simple, but it sent the message: they see something in him.
For Celtics fans, the question now becomes whether Tonje will get a shot in the NBA rotation. He’s got the scoring chops and the frame to compete, but Boston’s roster is deep, especially on the wing. Still, with the way injuries and matchups can shuffle lineups in today’s NBA, there’s always a chance for a hungry player to carve out minutes.
Tonje’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. He started his college career at Colorado State, where he played four seasons before transferring to Missouri.
Unfortunately, an injury limited him to just eight games with the Tigers. But he wasn’t done yet.
Tonje hit the portal again and found a home with Wisconsin for the 2024-25 season-and that’s where he really made his mark.
In his lone year with the Badgers, Tonje averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 boards, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. He was a go-to scorer, a steady presence, and a key reason Wisconsin stayed competitive. It was the kind of season that reminded people why he was on NBA radars in the first place.
Now, he’s got a new jersey, a new city, and maybe, just maybe, a new opportunity. For Boston, this is a low-risk, high-upside move. For Tonje, it’s a chance to break through.
And for fans of Wisconsin basketball, it’s another reason to tune in. Because when Tonje finally steps onto an NBA court, it won’t just be a debut-it’ll be the next chapter in a story that’s already taken a few unexpected turns.