Accessing Payton Pritchard’s future: 3 potential landing spots for the Boston Celtics PG
Since being drafted in 2020, Oregon guard Payton Pritchard has become a Boston Celtics fan favorite — but his time in Boston is without question coming to an end.
How can anyone not root for a player like Pritchard? As the Celtics continue to get healthy, it becomes more apparent that Pritchard is on the way out the door soon. The former No. 26 overall selection made his view known that he is seeking a large role on another NBA team before the trade deadline. The deadline was a mix of emotions for Pritchard as he now has to turn his attention to supporting the entire team as they aim for the franchise’s 18th title. The former Oregon guard has started in just two contests this season, playing in a career-low 42 games while averaging just 12.8 minutes per game.
As someone that has contributed in 29 postseason contests in his career, Pritchard can not only provide stability coming off the bench but that all-important experience at just 25 years old. As the fourth guard in Boston’s rotation, Pritchard can play well in one game in the absence of another guard, but then collect a DNP the next time out. The 2020 Bob Cousy award winner played over 42 minutes in a loss to Miami in January, and just two games later, the 25-year-old was on the floor for just five minutes and 20 seconds on national television in Los Angeles. It is tough to realize that there is nothing Pritchard can actually do to change that.
In a perfect world, Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla would love to maintain the Tualatin, Oregon native, but his aspirations lie far beyond a back-end bench player. Unlike Carsen Edwards, the NBA world knows Pritchard is going to make it in the league.
He has the ability to spread the floor with his shooting, create his own shot, and hustle on both ends of the floor. His size may limit him in more than just a few ways, but his work ethic and willingness to get better everyday makes up for it. For him to be able to accept this role for the entire season takes more than just a selfless attitude. Pritchard knows what he is capable of.
Despite not doing much wrong, the Boston Celtics continue to discover ways to replace him. Wherever uniform he may be donning in the future, Boston will always be rooting for his success.
3 potential landing spots for Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard
Utah Jazz
Danny Ainge is the person who drafted Pritchard, so it makes a whole lot of sense for him to make his way to the Jazz. Ainge along with Will Hardy will make the move to Utah that much easier. Right now, the Jazz do not really have a No. 1 option at the point guard position following a trade that sent Mike Conley Jr to Minnesota at the deadline. Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are currently the top two guards on Utah’s roster. Guard depth is something the Jazz need to address.
Kris Dunn is not a long term option, and if Hardy can slot in Pritchard in the second unit, the offensive output would greatly increase. Ochai Agbaji, and Udoka Azubuike are exciting young talents. Pritchard’s creativity with the ball in his hands will create more opportunities, and shots for the two Kansas products. Pritchard could be someone that averages around 14 points per game with consistent minutes in Salt Lake City.
With the Jazz sitting in the top-five in offense right now when it comes to points per game, this is a move that would add even more fire power to one of their strengths. Imagine Pritchard playing alongside Walker Kessler, and Lauri Markkanen. With his vision, and the opposition having to pay closer attention to him, there is going to be a lot of open shots for Utah’s promising frontcourt duo.
Nobody in Boston would dislike a move like this. He moves closer to home while being able to play under a former Boston Celtics assistant coach. A true win-win for both sides.