Hardwood Houdini
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3 Celtics players with most to prove during training camp

By Mark Nilon

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 18: Joe Mazzulla, head coach of the Boston Celtics, calls in a play during the second half of their game against the Utah Jazz on March 18, 2023 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 18: Joe Mazzulla, head coach of the Boston Celtics, calls in a play during the second half of their game against the Utah Jazz on March 18, 2023 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) /
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Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics talks with Marcus Smart. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics talks with Marcus Smart. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

1. Payton Pritchard

Outside of their star power, easily the strongest part of the 2022-23 Boston Celtics was their incredibly deep and highly effective backcourt rotation.

From beloved heart and soul starter Marcus Smart and sound two-way contributor Derrick White to the reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, Mazzulla had quite an impressive assortment of guards to work with during his first season holding the clipboard.

Of course, on the outside looking in on the strong rotation throughout the year was youngster Payton Pritchard, who, despite showing serious signs of promise throughout his career, was a regular DNP recipient and saw career lows all across the board.

Now, with only White remaining from the aforementioned bunch of ballers, the 25-year-old has a chance to see an increased role as he approaches his fourth season with the franchise.

Many such as his former Oregon head coach Dana Altman are anticipating that he will wind up thriving with his renewed opportunity, and training camp will serve as the beginning of this upcoming journey back to rotational relevancy.

Per 100 possessions, Pritchard boasts impressive averages of 20.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals on 40.0 percent shooting from deep for his career.

Even last season, despite his career-low 13.4 minutes per game, when seeing 15 or more minutes the guard found himself sporting a solid stat line of 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 38.2 percent shooting from deep and capped off the final two games of last season averaging an astonishing 26.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists on 54.2 percent from distance.

The talent is there for him to once again become a regular staple within the C’s rotation, and training camp is the time Pritchard needs to prove his worth.

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