Alabama Basketball: JD Davison is going to make Celtics roster

By drafting former Alabama basketball player JD Davison, the Boston Celtics may have made the steal of the NBA Draft.

Davison was not just Boston’s best Summer League player, he was one of the best among all teams. According to Celtics’ team reporter Taylor Snow, Davison set a Boston, Summer League record with 41 assists. More impressive is the average of 8.2 assists was second-best for Boston and the third-best in the Summer League’s history.

Based on his Summer League play, Davison appears to be a guy who can get into the lane quickly and often. Playing against Summer League defenders is not the same as NBA regular season defenders, but Davison appears to be built for the NBA game in a manner many players are not.

In addition, Davison averaged 13 ppg, with a single-game high of 28 points against Memphis. He was 7-for-15 shooting threes for 46.7% and was 85.7% from the foul line. He averaged 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks. A stat that will surprise many Alabama basketball fans is in an average of 30.3 minutes per game, JD averaged only three turnovers.

His performance was certainly one of the best in Summer League play by a recent second-round draft selection. Was it enough for Davison to make the Boston 15-man roster for the season opener? JD has a strong chance to be on Boston’s bench early.

The problem for Davison is he needs playing time for development. He will need the Maine Celtics of the G League to get those minutes. Boston’s G league has a couple of guards who can pour in points, but the Maine roster from the past season does not have a guard with Davison’s potential.

How long will Davison stay parked in the G League? Boston, with plenty of guard depth can be patient and allow JD to develop his skills in the G League. One credible source about the Celtics believes Davison will not spend the entire season in the G League.

"… in time, Davison looks like he’ll play himself off his Two-Way deal and onto a standard one."

Current NBA ‘Two-Way’ deals do not include guaranteed money to rookies. In Davison’s case, especially after his Summer League play, no guarantee should not be a problem. He will earn half the rookie minimum for 2022-23 (around $500,000), even if he only suits up for Maine.

The situation for Davison is promising because he showed so many required skills in Summer League. When Boston needs guard help at any point of the season, he will be the solution.