The Boston Celtics have finally made Payton Pritchard a full-time starter, and the team is thriving. Fans won’t forget his infamous trade request (subscription required) in 2023 as he struggled to get on the floor. The 6’1 guard didn’t want to leave Boston. He wanted to play. Pritchard has finally gotten his wish, and the Celtics aren’t regretting it.
Nobody knew if the reigning Sixth Man of the Year would start or continue coming off the bench as the Celtics made significant changes in the offseason. There was a chance Anfernee Simons opened games as the team tried to increase his trade value, but head coach Joe Mazzulla decided to insert Pritchard. The guard has rewarded that faith and locked himself in as a long-term piece for the Cs.
Pritchard just keeps getting better, and Boston currently sits third in the Eastern Conference without Jayson Tatum. Their new starting point guard deserves plenty of credit for the team’s surprising success, and the Celtics may just be getting started.
Celtics finally made Payton Pritchard a starter
Pritchard has struggled to make shots to begin this season, but fans know he is a lights-out shooter. Things are more difficult without Tatum. It hasn’t hurt his other numbers. Pritchard averages 16.9 points, 5.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in a career-high 32.8 minutes per game.
The advanced metrics are strong for the 27-year-old guard. He has already produced a 0.8 value over replacement player (VORP) and sits well above league average in win shares per 48 minutes. The Celtics have won Pritchard’s 1,051 minutes by 121 points and have the fourth-best offensive rating in the NBA.
He is proving he was worthy of his request. Celtics fans quickly found out when he jumped into the rotation. Pritchard is owed just $16 million over the next two seasons combined and is on one of the best value contracts in the NBA. There is plenty of excitement about his present and future. Luckily, Boston denied his trade request and created room for him. If not, Pritchard would be breaking out elsewhere.
The Celtics drafted Pritchard in the late first round in 2020 and have watched him develop into a starting guard with all the tools. His size can create defensive issues, but Pritchard plays hard and packs plenty of offensive punch to make up for it. He is not a superstar, but do not be surprised to see him stick as the Celtics' starting point guard through his prime. Pritchard has certainly earned the gig with his play this season.
The Boston Celtics keep granting Payton Pritchard’s wishes. He wanted more playing time, and the franchise gave it to him. There were more opportunities available last season, and Pritchard took advantage on his way to winning Sixth Man of the Year. Now, he has locked down a starting role on a contender.
The Celtics got a stew going when Jayson Tatum returns. No team wants to face them in the playoffs, and Brad Stevens could further upgrade their roster before the deadline. Pritchard hopes so. He is hungry for another championship and will play a larger role in bringing this one back to Beantown.