The Boston Celtics waived JD Davison back in July to get under the second luxury tax apron. Four months later, Davison is sitting on the Houston Rockets' bench, playing five minutes a night, and was then shipped to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' G League affiliate. If JD is gonna sit on the bench, it might as well be with the team that drafted him, the Boston Celtics.
This doesn't have to be how the story goes. JD Davison could be back in Boston wearing green within a month, and it might be exactly what both the player and the team need.
The Setup That Got Us Here
Let's rewind to the spring of 2025. JD Davison had just won G League MVP with the Maine Celtics, averaging 25.6 points, 7.8 assists, and 5 rebounds on 48.1% shooting. He'd become Maine's franchise's all-time leader in points, assists, and steals. Boston, impressed by his development, converted his two-way deal to a standard contract. Everyone thought he'd finally broken through.
Then the financial reality hit. The Celtics faced severe luxury tax implications, leaving the front office no choice but to cut costs. Enter the second apron, enter the difficult decisions, and enter the waiver wire. Bye-bye, Jrue and KP, and among the friendly fire, Davison was also let go despite all the promise he'd shown. The message was: we love what you've done, but we can't afford to keep you.
The Rockets picked him up on a two-way deal with Ime Udoka, Davison's former coach from Boston, back at the helm. It looked like destiny. Udoka knew what Davison could do. He'd drafted him 53rd overall in 2022. This was going to be his moment.
The Houston Experiment Has Already Failed
Fast forward to November 2025, and Davison has played in exactly five games for the Rockets, averaging under five minutes per night. He looked good in the preseason, dropping 17 points on nine shots against Atlanta, completing four games with impressive efficiency. People thought he'd carved out a role on this stacked Rockets team, even if it was at the end of the rotation.
But then Reed Sheppard has flashed the potential that he has, and suddenly, the guard depth chart got crowded. And Davison? He got sent down to the G League affiliate.
The Rockets were hurting for guard depth after Fred VanVleet's ACL injury, and they still chose to send Davison to the Vipers. That tells you everything you need to know right now about how Houston values him. He's not even in the conversation for meaningful minutes on a team that desperately needs help at the point guard position.
Boston's Guard Rotation Is Crowded but Needs Fresh Energy
Meanwhile, back in Boston, the Celtics have plenty of backcourt options. Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Huge Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh. The guard rotation is crowded, maybe even overcrowded. But here's the thing: this is an experimental year for the Celtics. They're figuring out who fits, who works, and who doesn't.
The recent stretch has shown exactly why fresh energy matters. Pritchard just dropped 42 points against the Cavaliers after struggling badly against the Timberwolves (4-for-14 shooting). Derrick White has had moments where he's looked underwhelming. He went 6-for-16 against Minnesota and has been shooting poorly all season. Anfernee Simons has shown flashes but looked overwhelmed when handling primary ball-handling duties against the Timberwolves, playing just 17 minutes.
Having another spark plug option at the point guard position, another player who can bring fresh energy and a different pace to the offense, could be exactly what the Celtics need. JD Davison brings that kind of aggressive, hungry energy that shakes things up. The Celtics knew this when they developed him. I mean, they invested three years in him with the Maine Celtics. He responded by becoming G League MVP. He should be in green.
The Rockets are trying to win a championship this year. Every roster spot matters, and every player needs to contribute immediately. Houston can't afford to give minutes to a guy on a two-way deal who's still developing. They need veteran contributors who can help them win now.
The Celtics are in an experimental phase, testing different combinations and evaluating lineups. Davison could get some real NBA minutes without needing to be a savior; he only has to contribute when called upon. Boston has the financial flexibility to bring him back on a reasonable deal, and Davison would jump at the chance to vindicate the three years he spent developing in Maine.
The Timeline Makes Sense
Right now, Davison is stuck in the G League. He's not developing at the NBA pace he needs. Meanwhile, the Rockets are wasting a roster spot on a guy they're not going to use. If Boston moves quickly, it could bring him back before the December holidays. Give him 10-15 minutes off the bench in a familiar system with coaches who believe in him.
By January, Davison could be an actual rotation player. By playoff time, he could be a trusted option. That's the upside nobody's talking about.
Davison is on a two-way deal in Houston. He's not blocking anyone from getting time, and he's not costing significant money. If Boston brings him back and it doesn't work out, they cut him and move on. This comes with zero risk.
But if it works? Davison can become a reliable backup for a team that is looking to compete for championships next year. Especially bringing in a player they already know, in a system he's familiar with, for minimal cost. The Rockets get cap space. Davison gets his redemption arc. Boston gets depth and energy. Everybody wins.
JD Davison is still young. He's still hungry. He still has the tools. He needs his opportunity. The Celtics could give it to him within a month.