Boston Celtics exercise contract option on Jared Sullinger

As expected, the Celtics exercised the third-year option on forward Jared Sullinger's rookie contract, the team announced Thursday.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge had said earlier in the week that the team would make such a move, which will pay Sullinger, the former first-round draft pick, about $1.4 million next season -- a relative bargain considering his talent level.