On Monday, we learned that there's a possibility that Boston Celtics rookie Dillon Mitchell could head back to college.

This is all related to a new NCAA policy, a lawsuit, and a temporary injunction.

The bottom line is this: 

While there are some technicalities to it all, the basic gist is this: Beginning this year, the NCAA has adopted a new "5-in-5" rule that says that athletes have five years to play five seasons of their sport. There are no more redshirts or medical redshirts. If you get hurt or sit out, then you simply just lose a year of eligibility, but the hope is that most people will end up the traditional four years of a sport, and if they are lucky enough to get five, then so be it.

Well, athletes currently in school also get the benefit of this extra year. But who didn't get the benefit? That would be the Class of 2022 high schoolers who graduated college in 2026. They simply played only four seasons in four years and left. Some members of that group believe they deserve to benefit from the new clause as well, and a lawsuit was filed. A preliminary injunction was granted allowing it, and though the NCAA is appealing the ruling, there's now a rush of recently departed athletes who are trying to take advantage of it.

That's where Mitchell's return to college basketball comes in. While he isn't guaranteed to take advantage of this rule, it's something he's at least thinking about.

1) After subjecting himself to pro practices and NBA Summer League, Mitchell has a better idea of what is expected in the NBA, so he could go back to school and work on those things, which might be easier to do than by sitting on the Celtics bench or getting a run in the NBA G-League.

2) The NIL opportunities for star athletes, especially a fifth-year senior, are likely greater than Mitchell would get salary-wise in the NBA.

3) Mitchell could potentially play better and get drafted again next year, at a higher place than the No. 40 he was taken this season.

1) As was relayed to me on Monday, Mitchell has not signed a pro contract yet, which means he's still eligible to return to college. A Summer League contract is different, so there's been no pro deal yet.

2) As noted by Bobby Manning of CLNS Celtics, the Celtics have until Sept. 5 to tender Mitchell a contract. If he accepts, he could remain with the Celtics now, or he could remain a member of the Celtics with the team holding his draft rights, similar to the way that some college hockey players have already been drafted. He confirmed that here.

If he declines, he would go back into the draft next year.