Boston Celtics: B/R proposes trading Payton Pritchard for OKC wing
The Boston Celtics have prospective issues that may not turn out to be substantial ones as the schedule progresses. Off the bat, the Cs are dealing with depth chart issues in the frontcourt, but that figures to be corrected by midseason when Robert Williams III returns.
More problems can also pop up, but by and large, the Cs roster is already in a good place in terms of the players who will be playing come April 2023 during the opening round of the NBA postseason.
With that said, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz feels Boston needs to rectify its wing rotation on nights Jayson Tatum and/or Jaylen Brown need a breather and proposed a swap involving Payton Pritchard — who was recently included in a B/R piece detailing the best trade assets for all 30 teams for the Celtics.
Check out Swartz’ proposal with the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire a wing who was recently extended for mid-level money:
"Boston Celtics Receive: F Kenrich WilliamsOklahoma City Thunder Receive: PG Payton Pritchard, 2023 second-round pick (via Portland Trail Blazers)"
B/R’s explanation for why the Boston Celtics should trade Payton Pritchard
Greg Swartz no longer sees a necessary role for Payton Pritchard on the Boston Celtics following their free agency day 1 deal for Malcolm Brogdon with the Indiana Pacers that saw the Cs send away Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, and salary filler. He also sees Danilo Gallinari’s injury as one that opens up a need for a player like Kenrich Williams.
“Kenrich Williams is a strong 6’6″ forward who could take over Gallinari’s projected role while bringing some versatile defense and shotmaking to the Celtics’ bench,” said Schwartz. “With the offseason trade for Malcolm Brogdon (to go along with Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum), Boston no longer needs Pritchard’s playmaking as much as last year.”
Given the fragility of Brogdon’s health over the last several seasons — maxing out at 65 games in 2018-19 after playing 75 games his rookie season — so perhaps holding onto Pritchard would be in the C’s best interest should he miss a portion of this campaign as well.