Breaking: Boston Celtics two-way guard reveals the reason behind his resignation.
Last month, the position of point guard JD Davison came under scrutiny due to the Celtics’ roster tightness heading into the offseason. The team’s decision not to extend a qualifying offer to the third-year guard put him in unrestricted free agency, casting doubt on his future. Brad Stevens, however, made it known that he wanted to re-acquire the 2022 second-round pick following a productive season with the Maine Celtics that almost saw him win the G-League.
The team’s first Summer League game took place at Cox Pavilion on Saturday night, and Davison delivered another demonstration of his promise, ending with 19 points and seven assists in a 119-114 loss to the Heat for the Celtics. One of the biggest concerns in the NBA has been Davison’s offensive potential, but he proved to be a highly effective backcourt player, going 6-of-7 from the field and 3-of-3 from three to help Boston stave off a Heat club that shot 61 percent from the floor.
“Just having faith in myself, seeing my progress in the gym, and bringing it,” Davison remarked. “Just making the defense feel honest about it and shooting the ball with confidence.”
A few days before Summer League officially began, on Tuesday, Davison finally agreed to a two-way contract with the Celtics for the third consecutive season. Davison left no mistake about where he intended to be following a title run, even if he had options available to him.
According to Davison, “my plan was automatic to come back here regardless of what happened.” “Until my agent informed me at the last minute, I had no idea about the two-way talent.” I came to him and told him that I just wanted to be here because I had spent the previous two and almost three years playing in Boston.
Despite starting his third season, the 21-year-old is still among the younger players on the Celtics Summer League roster. His future year in Boston will be under much more pressure because of that schedule. After the 2024–25 season, he will no longer be able to sign a two-way contract with the Celtics, effectively positioning his development as a title candidate. The Celtics will have to give him a position on the 15-man roster if they hope to have him back in the long run. In order for that to occur, Davison must demonstrate his eligibility for one.
“It’s a year of separation for me,” Davison said.
To get there, the Celtics will need him to demonstrate his reliable shooting and improve some of his decision-making (four turnovers in the first game). But he’s a very fascinating young prospect in the team’s pipeline because of his youth and agility. Davison needed to stand out from the crowd amid a strong Summer League roster, and he made a move in that direction on Saturday night.
