The Boston Celtics are heading into the NBA playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and they’ll have JD Davison along for the ride. The team announced on Sunday that Davison has signed a standard contract, officially upgrading him from a two-way deal just ahead of the postseason.
The move means the former Alabama standout is now eligible to participate in the NBA playoffs, as players on two-way contracts are not permitted to play in postseason games. Boston’s regular-season campaign concluded Sunday, and their sights are now firmly set on a deep playoff run.
Davison, 21, has spent the last three seasons bouncing between the Celtics and their G-League affiliate, the Maine Celtics. This season, he truly stood out, earning the Kia NBA G League Most Valuable Player award after an electrifying campaign in which he averaged 25.6 points, 7.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 45 games.
While his NBA minutes have been limited, Davison’s potential is undeniable. In 15 games with Boston during the 2024-25 season, he recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and a block in 76 total minutes. Selected 53rd overall by the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Draft, he has become Maine’s all-time leader in both points and assists, and has appeared in 35 NBA games to date.
Davison’s basketball journey began with dominance in high school, where he twice won Alabama’s Mr. Basketball Award while leading Calhoun School to consecutive AHSAA Class 2A championships. His high school stats were jaw-dropping: averaging 33.4 points, 12.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists as a junior, and 32.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists as a senior.
He continued to impress during his lone collegiate season at Alabama, where he averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Now, Davison finds himself on the cusp of his biggest opportunity yet—contributing to a Celtics team with championship aspirations. With his contract upgraded, he will provide Boston with valuable depth and energy as they begin their postseason campaign.
As the Celtics gear up for their playoff opener, fans will be eager to see how the G League MVP adapts to the pressure and pace of NBA playoff basketball.
