Boston Celtics Reward G-League MVP JD Davison With Standard Two-Year NBA Contract in Major Move Toward Long-Term Backcourt Depth
The Boston Celtics have officially announced that JD Davison, the explosive and athletic point guard who dominated the G-League in the 2024–25 season, is being rewarded with a standard two-year NBA contract. After a season that saw Davison crowned as the NBA G-League MVP, the move signals a strategic commitment by the Celtics to develop and integrate high-upside young talent into their championship-contending roster. It’s a significant moment—not just for Davison, but for a Boston team that continues to evolve without compromising its core identity.
Davison, selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Alabama, has spent most of his professional career bouncing between two-way contracts and full-time assignments with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G-League affiliate. But this past season marked a definitive breakout for the 22-year-old guard. With averages of 21.9 points, 9.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, he electrified the G-League with his speed, playmaking, and above-the-rim finishing. His improved outside shooting, tighter ball-handling, and improved poise under pressure earned rave reviews from scouts, executives, and opposing coaches alike.
What truly made his campaign stand out, however, was the way he carried Maine to a deep playoff run and established himself as the team’s emotional and tactical leader. The G-League MVP award was a culmination of his hard work and an emphatic response to doubts about whether his raw talent could translate into professional polish. He not only led the league in assists but also ranked among the top ten in efficiency rating, showing marked improvement in his decision-making, defensive commitment, and leadership on the court.
The Celtics’ decision to convert his two-way contract into a standard two-year deal reflects growing internal confidence in Davison’s ability to contribute at the NBA level. While he may not enter the 2025–26 season as a primary rotation player, the move gives Boston valuable depth behind All-Defensive guard Derrick White and veteran Jrue Holiday, while also building insurance for the future in case of injuries or roster shifts.
Brad Stevens, Boston’s President of Basketball Operations, has always valued player development, and Davison’s elevation follows a similar arc to that of players like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser, who began their careers in limited roles before proving their worth. The team’s decision to invest in Davison now—rather than risking losing him to another franchise in free agency—suggests they see the potential for him to eventually emerge as a long-term contributor.
JD Davison’s game is built around speed and instinct. He’s arguably the fastest player in the Celtics organization, with a lightning-quick first step and a rare ability to accelerate in transition. His court vision is exceptional for a young guard, and his pick-and-roll decision-making has matured considerably since his rookie year. He has also become a more consistent three-point shooter, improving from a shaky 28% as a rookie in Maine to 36.2% this past season. While still a work in progress from deep, the uptick in efficiency has made defenders more hesitant to sag off him.
Defensively, Davison has made strides as well. His on-ball defense has become more disciplined, and his length—combined with elite lateral quickness—makes him a disruptive presence at the point of attack. He led all G-League guards in deflections and ranked highly in both steal percentage and contested shots per game. For a team like Boston that thrives on defensive identity and perimeter pressure, Davison fits the mold. He may not yet be a lockdown NBA defender, but his ceiling is high, and the Celtics have the infrastructure to nurture that.
The timing of the move is also noteworthy. Boston is entering the 2025–26 season with championship expectations once again, thanks to a core that includes Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, and the newly added Kevin Durant. Yet despite the star power, the grind of an 82-game season—and the inevitability of injuries and rest management—demands quality depth. With Davison under contract, Boston has another reliable guard they can deploy for extended stretches without overtaxing their veterans. He can spell White or Holiday on back-to-backs, push the tempo off the bench, and help maintain the team’s defensive intensity when the second unit is on the floor.
From a financial standpoint, the deal is also a win for Boston. Davison’s two-year standard contract is expected to be team-friendly, offering valuable performance upside without hindering the Celtics’ flexibility. In an era where teams are constantly navigating the complexities of the new collective bargaining agreement and second-apron tax penalties, having productive, low-cost rotation players is more crucial than ever. Davison’s contract could turn into one of the best values on the roster if his development continues at its current pace.
The locker room reaction has reportedly been overwhelmingly positive. Teammates have praised Davison’s work ethic and humility, and he’s known to be one of the earliest arrivals at the Auerbach Center on practice days. His quiet demeanor off the court contrasts with the energy and confidence he brings during games. Veteran teammates have taken him under their wing, helping him refine the mental and strategic parts of his game. Now, with a full-time spot on the roster, he’ll have the opportunity to gain reps in practice against some of the league’s best, accelerating his transition from G-League star to NBA contributor.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla has spoken openly about valuing player versatility and defensive engagement, both areas where Davison has grown significantly. Mazzulla is expected to use the preseason to experiment with different second-unit configurations, and Davison will likely be in that mix. His ability to push pace, create shots for teammates, and defend multiple guard spots could be especially useful against teams with dynamic second units. And with the Celtics likely to rest starters frequently throughout the season to manage mileage, Davison’s minutes may come sooner than later.
While it’s important not to overstate expectations, there’s a sense around the organization that Davison could develop into more than just a spot-minute player. With the right mentorship, training, and patience, he has the tools to become a legitimate starting-caliber point guard in the NBA. His path mirrors that of other former G-League standouts like Gabe Vincent and Alex Caruso, who turned two-way opportunities into full-time roles and then into playoff impact. Boston hopes Davison will follow a similar trajectory—only faster and with even more upside.
For Davison personally, this contract is the fulfillment of a dream and a validation of perseverance. After falling to the second round in the draft, enduring the grind of the G-League, and spending years proving himself in anonymity, he now gets his shot. But knowing Davison’s mentality, the signing is not the destination—it’s the beginning. His focus remains on getting better, contributing to wins, and earning his place in the rotation through consistent effort and improvement.
The Celtics’ fan base has embraced the move as well. Davison’s highlight-reel dunks, flashy passes, and relentless hustle made him a favorite among diehards who followed the Maine Celtics closely. With this new contract, he’s set to become a more visible presence in TD Garden. Fans love homegrown players who develop within the system, and Davison’s rise adds another chapter to the franchise’s ongoing emphasis on smart drafting and player development.
In the big picture, this move also sends a message about the Celtics’ long-term vision. While the team remains squarely in win-now mode, it continues to invest in young talent that can sustain success beyond the current championship window. With Tatum and Brown locked up, and with role players like Hauser and Queta showing growth, the addition of Davison to the standard roster strengthens the team’s pipeline of future contributors. It’s a balance of present dominance and future insurance—exactly what a well-run franchise should aim for.
As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on how Davison adjusts to full-time NBA life. Can he carry over his G-League dominance against top-tier competition? Can he build chemistry with Boston’s veterans and find ways to impact games even without the ball? Those questions will define his role in the early part of the season. But one thing is certain: he has the tools, the work ethic, and now, the opportunity.
In a league where second chances are rare and long-term development is often overlooked, JD Davison’s rise from G-League MVP to full-time Celtic is a reminder that perseverance still pays off. The Boston Celtics have seen enough to believe in him. Now, it’s his time to show the rest of the NBA that the best is yet to come.
