Celtics Cut Ties With G League MVP in Surprising Roster Move

The Boston Celtics are making moves — and JD Davison is the odd man out.

The team officially waived the 21-year-old guard on Thursday, ending a three-year run with the franchise that included flashes of potential but limited NBA playing time. The decision opens up a roster spot and brings Boston back below the second apron.

“We have waived JD Davison,” the team announced via their official account.

Celtics Clear Roster Spot With Davison Waiver

Davison, who was selected with the 53rd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Alabama, never quite found his footing with the Celtics. Over 36 career games, he averaged 1.9 points while shooting just 38.5% from the field and 28.1% from three.

Last season, he appeared in 16 games for Boston, putting up 2.1 points per night on 35.3% shooting. Despite his limited NBA role, Davison lit it up in the G League, earning MVP honors with the Maine Celtics thanks to averages of 25.1 points, 7.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on 48.3% shooting.

But with three years of service, Davison is no longer eligible for a two-way contract — complicating his future with the team. According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, Davison could still sign a two-way deal elsewhere or try to earn a standard contract spot with another team.

The timing also reflects how Boston may be thinking about roster flexibility heading into training camp. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the year and a young group of guards like Payton Pritchard and newly acquired Anfernee Simons in the mix following the trade from Portland, the Celtics may prefer to keep the final spot open for a potential late-offseason acquisition or an in-season signing down the line.

Boston’s Cap Crunch Continues to Shape the Roster

Cap management may have played a key role in the move. As noted by Keith Smith of Spotrac, waiving Davison helps Boston stay under the second apron — a threshold that has shaped much of their offseason.

The Celtics have already parted ways with Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and possibly Al Horford as they attempt to reset their finances while Jayson Tatum rehabs from a season-long Achilles injury.

For now, Boston has one open roster spot — but no immediate moves appear imminent. Whether that changes ahead of training camp remains to be seen.