Boston Celtics beat reporter advocates for hero in Raptors win to not be traded
After a thrilling 106-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors on January 21, MassLive’s Brian Robb made the case for the Boston Celtics not to trade Payton Pritchard — who was a team and game-high +19 in 26 minutes — ahead of the February 9 NBA trade deadline.
Pritchard has been rumored to have interest from teams like the Golden State Warriors, among other contenders, though he has been reported by Robb to be more than likely staying put once the deadline passes.
Robb knows that Pritchard isn’t likely to land anyone who’d be deemed an upgrade on the trade market, categorizing the pieces of a likely return in such a deal as ‘spare parts’:
"“Teams will continue to knock on the Celtics’ door about Pritchard’s availability all the way until the trade deadline on February 9 but there’s nothing the Celtics will be offered in all likelihood that will improve Boston’s roster situation in a deal.”“The Celtics will have several options at the trade deadline next month but moving Pritchard for spare parts shouldn’t be a consideration.”"
Possible Boston Celtics upgrades for Payton Pritchard
When it comes to gettable targets, the Boston Celtics don’t have many who could be deemed an upgrade over Payton Pritchard using the third-year second unit combo guard. One who is on a floundering squad that still might not be willing to pivot towards a rebuild is Minnesota Timberwolves starting big Jaden McDaniels. As a stretch big averaging over a steal and a block per game, McDaniels would move the needle defensively for a Cs squad that’s been lacking on that end of the floor.
He might not be given up on by Minnesota just yet, though. Someone who’s on a team that can perhaps play better in an expanded role is Patrick Baldwin Jr., who is on a willing suitor in the Warriors. Baldwin Jr. is stroking the 3-ball in his rookie season, making 22 of his first 49 career attempts. He’s behind many options in the Bay on the depth chart, though. Boston could use him as the primary backup wing if Golden State was willing to send draft capital to the Cs.