Are potential problems looming for the Boston Celtics with two guards?
The Boston Celtics have had their fair share of offseason drama this year. After trading Marcus Smart, the Celtics now have two guards to worry about. The Celtics have to worry about Malcolm Brogdon because they almost traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers and Payton Pritchard because he has been unhappy.
Ultimately, I wonder if potential problems are looming for the Celtics at the guard position.
Although the Boston Celtics got an All-Star caliber player in Kristaps Porzingis in the Smart trade, the guard position is now a real concern. Besides Derrick White, the Celtics don’t have another guard that you should be happy about or that should be happy with playing for Boston.
Brad Stevens mentioned Payton Pritchard and Malcolm Brogdon as guys who will have to step up along with Derrick White to replace Marcus Smart at the point.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) June 23, 2023
Brogdon was almost traded by the Celtics, and now they are saying that he can be an important piece. It makes no sense to me how that situation has transpired. The shift in thinking on Brogdon is peculiar, especially from Stevens who always tries to be honest. Although it is unfair to assume how a player is feeling, I can’t imagine Brogdon is 100% thrilled with coming back to a team that openly tried to trade him.
Brogdon could become a problem for the Boston Celtics next season if he is still on the roster.
Brad on Malcolm Brogdon:
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) June 24, 2023
“There’s a lot of narratives out there because of (crumbled trade) that are inaccurate … He's going through a period of 4-8 weeks where he's resting and rehabbing … Being in the rumors, that stinks. So we've talked.”pic.twitter.com/Dl6ZPlCvFz
The Boston Celtics face the same issue with Payton Pritchard
The same sentiment can be said for Pritchard, as he has voiced his frustrations multiple times in the last year. Don’t forget, Pritchard openly said that he wanted to be traded at the deadline this season.
Even with playing time now available for Pritchard, I wonder if he still wants to play for the Boston Celtics because they didn’t grant his wishes. You would have to think that Pritchard does not trust the team or their belief that he can step up in a new role.
Payton Pritchard was begging to be traded and Smart got dealt before he did, this is some kinda sick joke
— Chi☀️ (@therechigoes) June 22, 2023
It will be interesting to see how Brogdon and Pritchard’s situation plays out this offseason and whether or not they stick with the team for the 2023-24 season and beyond.