LAS VEGAS — The Celtics roster crunch entering the offseason put the status of point guard JD Davison in focus last month. The third-year guard hit unrestricted free agency after the team declined to extend him a qualifying offer, adding some uncertainty to his future. However, Brad Stevens spoke publicly about his desire to bring the 2022 second-round pick back in the fold after a strong year with the Maine Celtics that nearly resulted in a G-League title..
Davison showed off that promise again on Saturday night in Las Vegas, finishing with 19 points and seven assists in a 119-114 Celtics loss to the Heat in the team’s Summer League opener at Cox Pavilion. Davison’s offense has been one of the bigger questions at the NBA level but he showed off terrific efficiency in the backcourt, going 6-of-7 from the field and 3-of-3 from 3-point range to help Boston hang with a Heat team that shot 61 percent from the field.
“Just confidence and seeing my work in my gym and bringing it,” Davison said. “Just shooting the ball with confidence and making the defense feel honest about it.”
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Davison ultimately signed a two-way deal with the Celtics last Tuesday just days before the start of Summer League for the third straight year. Despite having options on the open market, Davison left little doubt where he wanted to be after a title run.
“My plan was automatic to come back here anyway regardless of what happened,” Davison explained. “I didn’t know nothing about the two-way talent, my agent told me last minute. I came and told him I wanted to play in Boston because I’ve been here my last two years going on my third one so I just wanted to be here.”
The 21-year-old remains one of the younger players on the Celtics Summer League roster despite entering his third season. That timeline will put extra pressure on his upcoming year in Boston. He will be no longer eligible for a two-way deal with the Celtics following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, essentially putting his development at the forefront for a title contender. If the Celtics want him back long-term, they will need to commit a 15-man roster spot to him. For that to happen, Davison will need to prove he is worthy of one.
“It’s a separation year for me,” Davison admitted.
The Celtics will need him to show his shooting that can consistent and clean up some of his decision making (four turnovers in opener) to get to that point. However, his athleticism and youth make him a particularly intriguing young prospect in the team’s pipeline. With a loaded Summer League roster, Davison needs to separate himself from the pack and he took a step in that direction on Saturday night.
