5 Payton Pritchard trades that could improve Celtics title odds
By Tyler Watts
2. Suns get Pritchard for two wings
The Phoenix Suns made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by trading for Bradley Beal. They have zero qualms about being over the second tax apron, but they are still searching for depth to round out their roster. The Suns have been aggressive and willing to spend. Offering a second year has secured them a talented group of veteran minimums, but they still need a backup point guard.
If Payton Pritchard wants out of Beantown, the Suns would give him a chance to contend for a title. The Celtics should be open to the idea if they get can get some draft capital in the deal.
The Suns acquired three second-round draft picks from the Grizzlies just last week to give them assets to trade. They could send one of those selections to Boston with Josh Okogie and Ish Wainwright to land Pritchard.
The Celtics could have acquired Reggie Bullock in the Grant Williams sign-and-trade if they wanted a wing, but his contract would have pushed them over the second tax apron. Instead, they opted for draft capital. Okogie is a cheaper alternative that provides defense in a pinch.
The Boston Celtics need to get creative if the plan is trading Payton Pritchard and not losing any of their top seven rotation players, but there may be one option on the board.