Davis wants to stay

Just before the ceremony was to begin, Davis approached and hugged Rondo, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino insisted that he stay for the courts’ christening. Davis left soon thereafter, but his appearance could have been a sign that the strong sentiments about leaving Boston that he expressed in May have softened.

“Most definitely, that’s my No. 1 priority - see if I can come back here and play,’’ he said. “And if I can’t, go somewhere else.’’

His words were tamer than they were in May, when it appeared Davis had grown tired of coach Doc Rivers’s treatment.

“I think in a lot of situations you have to air things out,’’ said Davis, who because of the NBA lockout cannot have contact with the Celtics front office. “Especially with a player that’s growing. You’ve got to talk and clear things up, and I think that time will come whenever the opportunity comes. I’m just trying to focus on working out.’’

As an unrestricted free agent, Davis would have no restrictions if he decided to play overseas during the lockout. FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, has ruled that players who sign with overseas clubs while under NBA contracts must return to their teams once the lockout ends. That doesn’t apply to Davis, who said he is intrigued by the possibility of playing in Europe or Asia.

“I would definitely be interested, to get the experience and also to keep that edge,’’ he said. “I just really think a lot of guys over there love to play the game. It’s not about the money. It’s about playing the game that we love.’’