The Boston Celtics' pre-planned self-destruction from this offseason to end up below the second apron tax line led to a few critical members of their championship-winning 2024 roster either walking in free agency or departing via trade.
Of their skilled former players who were thrown into the open market this past summer, one under-the-radar guard, fellow member of the team's title-winning group and reigning 2025 G-League MVP eventually landed with one of the Western Conference's top-tier contenders, the Houston Rockets, in free agency after being waived.
Following an unfortunate ACL injury to the Rockets' starting point guard and 2019 NBA champion Fred VanVleet, the springy 6-foot-1 combo-guard will likely receive a massive opportunity to contribute to a juggernaut alongside 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant, 2025 All-Star Alperen Şengün and rising star guard Amen Thompson in 2025-26.
"The only way Houston can navigate (VanVleet's) injury, for the time being, is with the players on their roster and two-way contracts," ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel shared via X on Thursday.
"JD Davison and Kevon Harris are both guards who will see some time this year at certain points."
At just 23 years old, Davison could be stepping into a major role in the absence of Houston's veteran floor general.
After authoring one of the most impressive seasons in NBA G-League history with Boston's Maine Celtics affiliate in 2024-25, the explosive scorer and skilled play-maker might be in the running to take on full-time backup point guard responsibilities.
Last season, Davison averaged a whopping 25.1 points, 7.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals on a solid 60.2% effective field goal percentage to earn MVP honors for the first time in his 3-year G-League career.
Throughout his 4-game preseason stint with Houston, he certainly proved that he can serve as a reliable contributor by compiling box score figures of 10.5 points, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals while knocking down a blistering 47.1% of his 4.3 attempts from three-point range.
Davison's athleticism has remained his claim to fame, but a consistent jump-shot and stifling defense on the perimeter could lead to the former Celtics guard earning an increased role with the Rockets at points during the upcoming season.
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