Boston Celtics: 2 potential low-cost replacements for Kemba Walker
By Mark Nilon
Potential Boston Celtics starting point guard No. 1) Payton Pritchard
Starting off our list, we see a cheap potential option that’s currently employed by the Boston Celtics in rookie point guard, Payton Pritchard.
Selected 26th overall back in November’s draft, many aside from Damian Lillard were unfamiliar with the point guard despite his impressive four-year stint at Oregon. Now, fast-forward five months later, and you’ll find that the 2020 Bob Cousy Award winner is a household name amongst Cs fans, for, during his short stint, he’s proven worthy of being considered close to an “untouchable” commodity.
Through 57 games played this year, Pritchard 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 45 percent shooting from the floor and 41 percent shooting from deep.
Over time, the 23-year-old has garnered the trust of his teammates and, perhaps more importantly, Brad Stevens and, in turn, has managed to have his time spent on the hardwood increase considerably since day one where he’s shown flashes of being considered the steal of the 2020 NBA Draft.
While it’s still a bit early to say Pritchard can become a full-time starter in this league, keep in mind that, though his first start this year may have been a bit underwhelming (two points, three rebounds on 20 percent shooting), his second and, most recent start was far more impressive, as he dropped 14 points and grabbed three boards on 63 percent shooting from the floor and 67 percent shooting from deep.
More time in the league has seemingly built up some more confidence within the youngster, and more time on the hardwood has translated into great production for, when logging 20-29 minutes, the guard is posting solid per-game averages of 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists on 50 percent shooting from the floor and 48 percent shooting from deep.
The coaching staff already seems to be infatuated with their first-year man and, should they wish to look for a cheap option to replace Kemba Walker (if they part ways with him, of course) perhaps a simple way of going about things could be promoting from within.