JD Davison was finally getting his NBA shot. After spending three seasons in the NBA's G-League, with spot minutes here and there with the Boston Celtics in the NBA, Davison earned a standard, two-year contract from the Celtics. This happened in April, just two weeks after Davison was named the 2024-25 G-League MVP, where he averaged 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists for G-League Maine.
Davison's G-League days appeared over, and despite the uphill battle he was facing on a loaded Celtics roster, he had fought, scratched, and clawed his way there.
On Thursday, the Celtics waived Davison in order to get under the NBA's punishing second-apron, offering a stark reality check of how quickly things can change in the NBA, even when it's no fault of your own.
We have waived JD Davison.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 24, 2025
The Celtics have gone through some major restructuring this offseason in the aftermath of a disappointing playoff run and losing star Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles. Boston traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holliday this offseason to duck the second apron and avoid a monstrous luxury tax bill. With Tatum expected to miss all of next season, the Celtics couldn't justify paying an exorbiant tax bill for a team that is unlikely to be a contender.
JD Davison will now search for opportunities elsewhere
With earning the G-League MVP this past season, Davison is sure to have suitors throughout the NBA. He'll hope to land a standard NBA contract somewhere and avoid more time in the G-League, but it's more likely than not that he lands another two-way contract and ends up spending time in the G-League again.
Davison's professional career has been a rocky road. The former 5-star recruit left Alabama after just one up-and-down season in 2021-22, entering the NBA Draft and being selected late in the second round by the Celtics. He always faced an uphill battle to a legitimate role in Boston, but he has flashed enough to earn a spot somewhere.
The Celtics waiving Davison could ultimately be a blessing in disguise for the former Crimson Tide guard. He will now have the opportunity to seek a situation elsewhere that might land him a legitimate shot to crack an NBA rotation.
Davison will have a lengthy list of suitors, but he's ready for a legitimate NBA shot. He'll be picky in hopes of finding a spot that will afford him that chance.