Payton Pritchard has created a good problem for the Boston Celtics
By Sam LaFrance
The Boston Celtics are red hot, riding a seven-game win streak into Wednesday’s match-up with the Atlanta Hawks. Boston has won its last four games (three and a half really) without offseason acquisition, and former NBA Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon has had to miss time due to tightness in his right hamstring. As of Wednesday afternoon, he is listed as questionable for the game in Atlanta.
The Celtics have managed to keep the streak going despite missing Brogdon’s nearly 14 points per game. The reason for that has been Payton Pritchard and his energized play off the bench. Over the last four games, the third-year guard is averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and an assist in just over 14 minutes off the bench. If you take out the first game, where he replaced Brogdon in the second half, the point total jumps to just under nine.
Pritchard has made his presence felt and reminded fans, and perhaps also Joe Mazzulla, that he belongs on an NBA roster. He has come up big for Boston in timely situations, including his big part in Monday’s comeback win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Pritchard’s shot making and hustle sparked the run that earned the C’s the victory. He also showed serious hustle in Friday’s win over the Denver Nuggets. Mazzulla had praise for his sharpshooting guard, saying:
"“No matter what situation he’s in, when his name gets called I trust he’ll be ready to play”"
The way forward for the Boston Celtics and Payton Pritchard
During his three-year career in Boston, Fast PP has always proven to be a serviceable NBA player. His 3-point shooting off the bench has been consistent at 40% for his career. However, when this season’s Boston Celtics team is healthy, it doesn’t seem like there’s a spot for the Oregon native in the rotation. The Cs have what may be the best guard rotation in the NBA, it’s just hard to justify giving Pritchard minutes over Brogdon, Marcus Smart, or Derrick White, but it’s a good problem to have.
With his 3-point capabilities, maybe Payton Pritchard could see minutes if Sam Hauser winds up in some sort of shooting slump. The sharpshooting wing has been a staple of Boston’s offense so far this season, giving the team just under eight points per game on 45% shooting from deep. His six-foot-seven frame makes him an easier player to slot into the rotation because it allows him to be a more reliable defender. Pritchard’s smaller build makes it more difficult for him to fit into the Celtics’ switch-everything defense.
If Mazzulla isn’t able to find a spot in the rotation for Pritchard, Boston’s best option may be to trade him away to get a piece that fills a more prominent need. I wrote about possible trade scenarios last week, right before Brogdon went out with his injury. If the Boston Celtics don’t want to deal Pritchard, he’ll be able to serve as injury insurance for the team’s guards for sure. He’s already done a fine job at that.