Boston Celtics: 2 moves that could give Payton Pritchard a chance to grow

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 21: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the first half against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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Boston Celtics (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

The Boston Celtics mine value from the Minnesota Timberwolves with Naz Reid

Another spot where it would make sense for Pritchard to wind up would be Minnesota. Should the Boston Celtics engage in talks with the Timberwolves, he would again be sent somewhere with more opportunity. Pritchard would be better suited to eat 17 minutes per night off the bench than Jordan McLaughlin. Plus, with the Wolves just shipping away basically all of their future draft picks for Rudy Gobert, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in someone on the younger side.

In return, Boston could ask for Naz Reid to help out with the early rebounding woes. So far this season, Reid is playing a career-low 13 minutes per game this season behind Karl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. In those 13 minutes, he’s averaging over eight points and 2 rebounds each night. Despite the low minutes, Reid is shooting a career best from the field at 58%. With Robert Williams out as he recovers from a left-knee procedure, Reid could provide a much needed boost to Boston’s presence down low.

In either scenario, the Celtics would be addressing the need for a solid backup big man while allowing Pritchard to further his career rather than just wasting away at the end of the bench. The 24-year-old would definitely be a welcome addition to either squad. He’d be able to provide a consistent scoring output off of the bench, while being efficient from behind the arc.

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