The Celtics have exercised JD Davison’s workforce choice 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 will likely be price $2.27 million.
Final yr, 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 father or mother membership. He appeared in a career-high 16 NBA video games final yr, however in his three-year profession, he’s solely performed 198 regular-season NBA minutes.
If Davison does stick round subsequent yr, he could possibly 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 yr, 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 capable of form of manipulate the protection. After which his capability 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 undoubtedly going to be a extremely good NBA participant,” Vacation mentioned.
Forward of the playoffs, the Celtics transformed his two-way contract to a typical deal, with a workforce choice within the second yr. That choice has now been exercised.
“I simply felt it was the best factor to do due to what he’s achieved for our program and what he’s achieved as a participant and what he’s achieved as an individual off the court docket,” Joe Mazzulla mentioned after Davison’s contract was first transformed. “So, I’m actually blissful for him.”
