On Thursday night, the Celtics took a step forward by picking former Alabama guard JD Davison in the second round of the NBA draft.
Although he only started six games, Davison averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for the Crimson Tide this past season, earning him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.
However, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound player demonstrated a predisposition for big games, recording two outings with 10 or more assists and 10 or more rebounds.
As part of the move that netted them, Derrick White, at the trade deadline, the Celtics surrendered their first-round pick to San Antonio, leaving them with just one pick on Thursday.
Boston failed to make a first-round selection for the second year in a row.
Although Davison didn’t work out for the Celtics during the pre-draft process, they kept an eye on him all season.
He also embodied the player archetype that doesn’t require a quick contribution.
The Celtics will need to exercise restraint this offseason as they attempt to bolster a group that advanced to the NBA Finals.
The Celtics will need to exercise restraint this offseason as they attempt to bolster a group that advanced to the NBA Finals.
However, Boston has three trade exceptions worth just under $30 million to play with, including about $17 million left over from the one made possible by its sign-and-trade of Evan Fournier in August. Boston is on the cusp of paying the luxury tax.
Stevens emphasized that when free agency approaches, the review process would be fluid in determining how—or whether—they’ll employ them.
