Celtics Decision to Cut Young Guard Surprisingly Critical for Boston's Future

The Boston Celtics have finally accomplished their prime mission this offseason, sans injured six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum: to avoid a payroll above the league's harsh second luxury tax apron.

Tatum will be shelved for most or, more likely, all of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from an Achilles tendon tear suffered during the Celtics' six-game second round series loss to the New York Knicks.

With incoming new owner William Chisholm clearly uninterested in overpaying for a club with no realistic shot of winning a 19th championship next summer, Boston team president Brad Stevens traded away two starters — six-time All-Defensive guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Anfernee Simons and one-time All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks for forward Georges Niang and a second rounder — and let key reserve center Luke Kornet walk in free agency.

Power forward/center Al Horford remains a free agent, but he's likely destined for the Golden State Warriors.

So the team has effectively ditched three of its top six players, with a fourth — its best — probably shelved all year.

More news: Celtics' Al Horford Holding Up Free Agency, Says Insider

But Boston remained over the Celtics' second luxury tax apron.

Until now.

Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, Davison has already moved on, having inked a new contract with the Houston Rockets.

According to the league's transactions log, Davison's deal is a two-way contract, although Haynes has not reported the contract details just yet.