Celtics decide upon future of G League MVP — for now

The Celtics have exercised JD Davison’s workforce possibility for the upcoming season, Michael Scotto of Hoop Hype first reported. The one-year deal is non-guaranteed, per the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, and might be price $2.27 million.

Final 12 months, Davison had one of the best G League season of his profession, averaging 25.6 factors, 7.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals en path to being named G League MVP.

Davison, who was drafted with the 53rd total choose by the Celtics in 2022, had spent the final three seasons on a two-way contract with the Celtics, however has gotten restricted on-court alternatives with the guardian membership. He appeared in a career-high 16 NBA video games final 12 months, however in his three-year profession, he’s solely performed 198 regular-season NBA minutes.

If Davison does stick round subsequent 12 months, he may very well be introduced with a bigger alternative, as Jrue Vacation, who began at guard for the previous two seasons, was traded to the Portland Path Blazers earlier this week. Davison may additionally nonetheless be utilized in a commerce or waived, given the non-guaranteed nature of his contract.

Final 12 months, Davison’s teammates sang his praises and expressed their perception he was prepared for the following degree.

“JD is a extremely good passer, and he has a extremely good really feel for the sport, particularly when he’s enjoying pick-and-roll,” Al Horford mentioned. “He’s an actual guard. He’s in a position to sort of manipulate the protection. After which his potential to get to the basket, he’s actually explosive.”

Within the spring, Vacation mentioned he expects Davison to make the transition to the NBA quickly.

“He’s positively going to be a extremely good NBA participant,” Vacation mentioned.

Forward of the playoffs, the Celtics transformed his two-way contract to an ordinary deal, with a workforce possibility within the second 12 months. That possibility has now been exercised.

“I simply felt it was the suitable factor to do due to what he’s performed for our program and what he’s performed as a participant and what he’s performed as an individual off the court docket,” Joe Mazzulla mentioned after Davison’s contract was first transformed. “So, I’m actually joyful for him.”