The Boston Celtics underwent a complete overhaul this past summer in an effort to duck under the second tax apron, but one of their under-the-radar choices might look worse and worse as the 2025-26 season progresses.
Boston's offseason saw the departures of 2-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday, 2018 All-Star Kristaps Porzingis and other key cogs of their 2024 championship team. Along with their top-end difference-makers, the franchise also severed ties with one of the G-League's greatest talents.
To finish off their fire-sale, the Celtics waived their No. 53 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft JD Davison, an energetic guard who never was able to crack the team's rotation throughout their contending years.
However, Davison developed into a superstar at the G-League level, as he was able to take home 2025 G-League MVP honors with the franchise's Maine affiliate last season, averaging 25.1 points, 7.6 assists 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 30 appearances.
Unfortunately for the undersized combo-guard, authoring one of the greatest seasons in G-League history was not enough to remain on the roster prior to the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
Davison would sign with the Houston Rockets soon after, and he was able to take full advantage of his first opportunity to prove that he can contribute.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
In Houston's 122-113 preseason victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, Davison exploded for 17 points, four assists and three rebounds off of the bench while knocking down five of his seven attempts from three-point range.
By the end of the night, the University of Alabama product made a fantastic case for a possible addition to Houston's opening night roster.
The 23-year-old could certainly have a chip on his shoulder after finding himself without an NBA roster spot following the Celtics decision to drop him, and his two-way contract with the Rockets now affords him the ability to potentially repeat as G-League MVP or earn a spot in the team's NBA rotation.
It may have been necessary for the Celtics to let go of Davison from a financial perspective this summer, but their decision might eventually come back to haunt them if he continues to put forth epic performances for the Rockets in 2025-26.
More NBA: Lakers coach JJ Redick responds to LeBron James announcement: 'You guys are all idiots'